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Judge the judge

Denise:

I certainly feel sympathy for what happened to you at the fair.   To go
through all that work and then not be able to compete would be quite
frustrating.  

I would like to try to help you though by telling you what I know about the
issue.  Every contest has its own rules and classifications.  Weigh in's
like the GPC and WPC define  pumpkins and squash differently than many
local or county fair organized events.  

The truth about the matter is that everything we are growing, ATG's, green
squash, show kings, are all aquash they belong to C. maxima, and can be
identified by the characteristics of the peduncle.  All C. maxima has a
fleshy nearly rounded peduncle like a buttercup squash these are all
squash.  There are other species of Cucurbita that are squash but are not
C. maxima.   For example Acorn squash I think is a C. pepo, and butternut
squash is C. moshata.   For worldwide competitions like the GPC or WPC a
looser interpretation of "pumpkin" is used.   Although I don't agree with
your judges decision I can understand how in the strictest botanical sence
he is right.   

The big picture:  

	As the bunch of pumpkin nuts that we are, we need to figure out and agree
on classifications.  Perhaps we should all call our giants
"pumpkin-squash."  We can't change the botanical classifications that have
been made hundreds of years ago, but  by understanding them we could come
up with some better agreement as to how this stuff should be classified. 
Personally, I like calling them giant pumpkins- it just fits, but I have to
keep reminding myself that they really are squash.
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