From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Knopp, Germany

After reading some of the 10, 20, 30 day measurements that are leaking out it looks like the 1000 lb mark is going to go down so many times this year that the measurements will need to be adjusted to 1200 or more pounds.

7/25/2005 1:21:08 PM

Western NY

i have a feeling you're right. the bar keeps getting raised a little more each year.

for as many problems that some growers seem to have, there's going to be a lot more success stories this year. at this point i almost expect a 1500+ officially weighed this year. long way to go for sure, but i can't remember the last time the early info sounded this promising.

7/25/2005 1:46:05 PM

Sheridan . NY

yep -----!!!!! absolutely--!! in ny---andy

7/25/2005 2:56:48 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

I was thinking similarily. Many people here are off to a great start!!! But remember what Dan Carlson stated, about how important the growth rate is, after hitting the five hundred pound mark. How many pumpkins that are on pace to break 1000 lbs. at 10, 20, and even 30 days actually do it?
I'm not trying to be a downer, but want to be realistic. I've got one going at 1000+ pace at day 14, but it has a long ways to go.

7/25/2005 3:36:57 PM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

The 100°F/+ heat in which many of these pumpkins with a great start have been grown will mature earlier. Growth will probably slow down significantly after day 35 to 40.

And Owen, the 1000 lbs data will keep us in Germany for a while.... don't worry! LOL
I can't believe how bad the weather was again today!!! Rain ALL DAY from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and highs of 16°C.
At least one thing is for sure, our pumpkins won't ripe prematurely! :-)

7/25/2005 3:56:02 PM

Indiana

We see this kind of growth every year....the super freaks always end up splitting or ending up huge with holes

7/25/2005 6:05:32 PM

Hayes, Virginia

dont worry i will lower the bar...

7/25/2005 6:27:02 PM

Ohio

lol

7/25/2005 6:50:51 PM

Key West, FL

I agree with doug, I had one start off very fast last year, only to never get above 15 pounds a day.....

7/25/2005 7:32:00 PM

Ontario, Canada.

We have already heard just in the last few days of some splitters and a few slow down tremendously or abort at basket to volley ball size. This is unfortunately a draw back of the Benchmark. We don't have any data on the exact percentage of abortions and or splitters. These numbers only tell us the general speed it takes to reach 1000. Assuming that 50% of the benchmark fruit will fall below 1000 could we conclude that a somewhat far lower percentage actually reaches the holly grail of respectability.

7/26/2005 1:35:57 AM

Ontario, Canada.

It is a very long horse race. The turtle often wins the race. Check out the link to Alans, comments in the GVGO he was sitting on a much larger pumpkin thah the 1446 that went down.

http://www.gvgo.ca/interview_eaton01.html

"I had a lot of bad luck too. The 2 x 845 Bobier and the 898 Knauss plants that I grew were eliminated about the end of July since their fruit would not grow properly. That left my two 842 plants. The best plant had a nice fruit that measured 1019 lbs on Aug 30 and was still gaining well when I lost it to a split. This left the smaller poorly shaped AG on my last plant, but that one just kept growing and to my astonishment became a winner. The Guinness people in the UK have sent me a nice frameable certificate stating they accept the 1446 as a new world record."

7/26/2005 1:43:24 AM

Sioux Falls, SD [email protected]

Please don't raise the bar. . .I'm still far from the old bar

7/26/2005 3:40:30 PM

Cologne / Germany

The bar?? There´s nothing to measure here that would even fit the first line of any chart.
I know another sort of bar, it´s just on the other side of my street and you always get a beer till midnight LOL

7/26/2005 5:13:18 PM