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Cheyenne, Wyoming

What is the largest pumpkin grown at 6,000+ feet above sea level? Has there ever been a 1,000 pounder?

1/13/2005 9:26:46 PM

Colo.Spgs.CO. Pikes Peak Chapter @ [email protected]

Beet, I am at a little over 6000 ft. altitude, and my PB. is 749 lbs. in 2003...Another grower not far from me Marc Sawtelle did a 852 lbr. and he is at around 5900 ft. altitude...If all goes well in the 2005 season for us here in colorado, you may well see a 1000+ lbr. done at or near the 6000 ft. elevation level. It is interesting that you bring up this subject, as the olympic training center is here where I live, as the high altitude helps build the endurance and stamina of the athlete's that train here. I wonder if growing and breeding pumpkins in our extreme environment at 6000 ft. with extreme UV-radiation from the sun, and low oxygen levels, and other low levels of the other elements found in the air have an effect on the offspring. Although I believe some elements in the atmosphere are in more of an abundance at higher altitudes. I have always wondered if we are breeding the olympians of the pumpkin world here, due to our climate, given the correct genetic cross.The problem is that there are so few growers in Colorado that no one hardly ever grows our seeds at lower elevations.....lol..Which probably is the same problem you WY. growers have....lol..But anyway, I consider myself one of the few and elite High Altitude Growers in America, and it is a very tough and devoted hobby to get yourself into if you live by the rules of nature above 6000ft. altitude....Good luck in 2005, as maybe you will BEET me to that magic 1000+ # as I know the WY. season is anything but nice also......JK...

1/14/2005 2:32:17 AM

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Interesting... I wander if you have any problems with PM because UV should keep it down?
Btw 400, my friend grew a seed from Marc Sawtelle in Slovenia.

1/14/2005 4:27:26 AM

Cheyenne, Wyoming

We don't really have any plant disease to speak of. I always assumed it was because we have such a dry climate here. There are also no insects to fight. We just fight the wind and cold temperatures.

Beet

1/14/2005 1:36:39 PM

Ljubljana, Slovenia

No diseases, that is great! Though, I am not sure that I would like to switch with you because of the cold.. brrr

It may be that besides dry and cold climate UV also plays a role because it inhibits growth of fungi on the surface of leaves and also induces many defense substances in plants.

1/15/2005 12:27:09 PM

Utah

I'm at 4,400 ft - Hot, high and dry here in Utah. and I managed a 906 lb-er... and I get PM in my patch every year !
How I do you have to be before your considered a high altitued grower ?
should we pick a elevation ?... I pick 4,400 ft lol !

1/16/2005 5:46:21 PM