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Atlanta, Georgia

Hi everyone!
I have begun work on a new pumpkin growing book to attempt to fill in the gaps that are missing in the three Langevin books. I have an illustrator and plan to publish the book in late fall.

I am looking for some contributions if anyone is willing to help me out.

1. Any articles you might have about genetics or any aspect of growing that aren't in the HTGWCGP books...

2. Your own fertilizing program which produced a thousand pounder....both organic and inorganic.

3. Pictures of pumpkin patch or pumpkin problems you might have had.

4. A short paragraph of any stupid mistake/s you might have made over the years.

5. An in depth growers diary including pictures of beginning to end of growing a 1000 pounder. I may include two diaries from people who grew using different fertilizer and training methods...

6. Anything else that you might find interesting or lacking from the HTGWCGP books.

I am not offering any kind of compensation for your contributions at this time but may make up a compensation plan if the book does well.

Thanks for any help, and I expect to have a rough outline to post here very soon.
Michel

3/20/2005 1:50:36 AM

Ohio

sweet mike!

3/20/2005 5:09:27 AM

Waquoit Mass

didnt know there were any gaps in dons books

3/20/2005 9:23:44 AM

Atlanta, Georgia

Hey Big Dave!
We all have gaps....just watch Rocky I...LOL!

I am grateful as heck that Don wrote his books but there are certain things that he doesn't cover completely.

I want to illustrate the many different training systems people use for example including the flag pattern and anaconda.

The title of my book will be
"Giant Pumpkin Growing for Maniacs" or "The Maniac's Guide to Giant Pumpkin Growing".

I would like to focus some attention to the crazy things people do to try to grow a big pumpkin such as Alan Nesbitt's crazy tall wind protection and the incredibly expensive automated systems some people use such as Kirk Mombert.

I also want a chapter about how to obtain seeds, such as posting that you are a new grower at bp.com LOL! and mailing out a hundred bubble packs each fall and that kind of thing....or tilling in the middle of winter like I do.
If anyone at all thinks they are going above and beyond the call of duty in their growing methods, I would love to hear about them!

This is still in the planning stages but it will make for good reading for any grower from newbie to experienced grower and will include chapters on the latest work in pumpkin breeding as well. It should end up to be about 150 pages long and will run about 20 dollars or so per signed copy including a voucher for free seeds.

I am all ears for any of your or anyone else's comments!
Thanks again for your post,

Best regards and Go Nesbitt!
Michel

3/20/2005 10:01:58 AM

Atlanta, Georgia

Dave,
Don't make me pull out the estwing! LOL!

Seriously though,
Don't you think we all have an abundance of great and not so great experiences we could share with new growers?
Tell me your greatest and worse experiences with your plants and let the other growers do the same and I'm sure I can come up with a few great chapters.

I'm not trying to outdo anyone with solid growing information but I want to create a fun pumpkin growing book and fulfill my life-long dream to be an author.
Right now I have the support to carry it out.
Talk to ya later,
Michel

3/20/2005 10:07:56 AM

Md/ Usa

I think pumpkins have been written about to death at this point with 4 books on the subject already.

try writting about another giant vegetable type that has less written about it.

3/20/2005 10:36:01 AM

Roanoke Il

Think Its a great idea the more info the better ..mark

3/20/2005 10:42:03 AM

Long Island,New York

Poor Matfox.....all alone......grow a pumpkin or squash Matfox and join us.

3/20/2005 11:05:03 AM

No Place Special

Hey I think its a great idea! Good luck.....!!!!!

3/20/2005 12:25:07 PM

Sweden

Great idea! Its a good thing to write about things fron an other point or angel. Aspecially in the mystery of the genitics there is a lot to exolore and written about.
Go for it Mike.

3/20/2005 12:39:18 PM

Ohio

I think your right Matt 4 is wayyyyyyyy to many, I think people need to start concentrating on writting a diet book, or how to get rich quick type of book.*cough*

3/20/2005 2:57:01 PM

Ohio

Ill buy your book mike!

3/20/2005 2:58:38 PM

Montoursville, PA

New books get bought, on any subject....year after year. Mike do it! The market will set it on fire commercially if you hit the pleasure and factual buttons that help or amuse others. Good books never die....they don't even fade away.
....You may use any picture I have published here or any place elsewhere. I have the originals saved and can supply copy of original most, in high resolution.
....As one of the first to use underground drip irrigation maybe I could help you if that subject was in your book.

3/20/2005 5:11:19 PM

Atlanta, Georgia

Thanks everyone!

Docpipe,
I still have to find out what resolution I need but the drip irrigation pics interest me for certain!

I can only work in the project part time right now because I'm still studying at the moment...and getting my own patch in order. The reason I only plan to have the book ready in fall is so I can also photograph the entire process of growing here in my own patches so I can hopefully get some great pictures of some different training systems, germination, etc...

3/20/2005 11:30:21 PM

Sancoins / Cher / FRANCE

Hi Mike,

You can take images which are in my newspapers without any concerns, and rest at your complete disposal for any supplementary news

3/21/2005 12:49:47 AM

Atlanta, Georgia

Merci Jean Louis!
Si tu peux m'ecrire ce que tu fais de "fous" pour tes citrouilles, je l'apprecie aussi beaucoup. Tu peux m'ecrire en privee, SVP
Michel

3/21/2005 3:15:25 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Michel,

I'm a photographer and have several photos in Don's last
book. I'd be happy to contribute any of my photos to your
effort. Also, if there is a topic for which you need a
particular photo, let me know and maybe we can set up a
shot.

Regards, Cliff

3/21/2005 11:39:55 AM

Knopp, Germany

Wow, Mike, great idea. If you would like some pictures or whatever from Europe, I would be happy to help.
owen

3/21/2005 11:58:20 AM

Knopp, Germany

BTW, I am an expert at split photos..lol

3/21/2005 11:58:46 AM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

lol, Owen... and for the ugly beasts...

3/21/2005 5:20:35 PM

Atlanta, Georgia

Owen,
Do you have any photos online?....or could you email me a few if they are high enough resolution to print? Splits
are always cool to see, but not in my own patch...LOL!

Nice nickname!

Don't worry Owen, Martin's bird bath picture is most likely going to be used as well! Ha Ha

3/22/2005 2:28:45 AM

Knopp, Germany

Hi Mike, last years diary has a couple pictures of splits. I reduced the size of them prior to putting them in my diary, so if you would want the better resolution let me know which ones and i will burn them to CD and mail them to you.

3/22/2005 4:40:13 AM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

Hey Mike,Did I ever tell you the story about how my 709 (513 White x self)ended up spending Halloween in the London Dungeons with a reporter inside and page 3 girl sitting on top.If I was a Pumpkin that would be the way to go.

3/23/2005 2:19:00 PM

Atlanta, Georgia

Thanks Owen! I will look at your diary as soon as I can and thanks a million. I know you must be struggling this year with your huge loss! Just so you know I am thinking about you and wishing you success pal!

Mark!
You da man! I will grow a thousand ag plants this year if I can get that kind of attention mate! Send me a pic if you have any!

The book is going well but I can't do it all by myself without all of your help. There is some super stuff coming! and all contributors will get a complimentary copy signed in pumpkin blood!
Michel

3/26/2005 12:10:30 PM