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PacificNW

How do you keep up your enthusiasm when you know.........
a) you won't win the world record
b) you won't win the local weigh-off
c) you'll probably miss your pb by at least 400#

Right now I just want to till the suckers under and wait for next year!

Lissemys

8/20/2007 9:54:30 PM

Littleton, Colo

You're sounding like a rookie...like me. Learn from this year and build on that for next. It's only a mistake if you make the same mistake twice. Besides...seeds go in pots about 8 months from now. Hang in there ! Look for positives ! grOw'z em biG and NEVER give up !!

8/20/2007 10:30:30 PM

Danville, CA ([email protected])

Make a genetic cross or two or three. Prolly not too late for that and will keep your thoughts positive.

8/20/2007 10:47:58 PM

Minnesota

Prolly, is that a word? is that like prettnear, I'm a begginer, I had alot of plants die, my biggest lesson-the plants need full sun light.

8/20/2007 11:27:19 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

You can bring a pumpkin to a weighoff, and reconnect with friends, or make new ones. Also you can live vicariously through the successful growers on this site. There should be a lot of excitement come Oct., when the big weighoffs occur. I look forward to seeing the results.
Or, you could decide to pack it up, and prepare your soil for next year. It depends on your priorities.

8/21/2007 12:12:26 AM

Rhode Island

lissemys
you can get lucky in this hobby and have a great pumpkin the first year out. kinda sets you up for the big let down in your next few years.
you can struggle and struggle and wonder what "the hell am i doing here"?
you can read and learn more, arm yourself with whatever it will take to get you back to where you want to be.
its all up to you
pap

8/21/2007 4:16:42 AM

Farmville, Virginia ([email protected])

Pap, this is my second year growing. Last year I never anything take pollination but this year I have a pretty good one going so I have already given thought to that possible big let down next year! I guess that's another thing you prepare for in the off season. Your advise here throughout the season has been solid and correct and I have used it the whole way. I know it has helped me and I am sure many others also. THANK YOU for all your input here!

Mark

8/21/2007 5:18:12 AM

Georgia

The way I see it lets say ya dont grow a monster but still some decent pumpkins bigger then what ya usually see for sale. Theres probally always some kids that dont have parents willing to spend big bucks on a pumpkin and would love to have one of them. To them its the biggest pumpkin in the world even if it isnt. I know I plan to give some ones away to some deserving kids. Ive learned from my mistakes this year and will prepare for next season. Everyone on this site has helped me a lot. I ask a lot of questions some I kindoff already know the answers to but like to here other growers experiences. Good luck to all and have fun

8/21/2007 10:33:33 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

The fact that Lissemys said they'll miss their PB by 400 lbs. suggests that they are not a Rookie.

8/21/2007 1:21:18 PM

Long Island,New York

Quite frankly there's nothing wrong with pulling the plant and recharging you batteries with a nice care-free Autumn. Getting a head start on patch prep, perhaps a family weekend somewhere. If your goal is to win and you arent close, and next year will benefit from an early termination then do it. You may end up delaying "pumpkin burnout" for an extra year...........G

8/21/2007 3:13:13 PM

southwest MO

Its supposed to be enjoyable... If your not having fun and your season is sucking that hard then till them in!!

8/21/2007 4:20:42 PM

[email protected]

How do you keep up your enthusiasm when you know.........
a) you won't win the world record - BUT YOU'LL LEARN SOMETHING TRYING.
b) you won't win the local weigh-off - BUT YOU'LL MEET GREAT PEOPLE THERE.
c) you'll probably miss your pb by at least 400# - BUT YOU'LL SLEEP WELL KNOWING YOU DID YOUR BEST & THAT YOU'LL BE BACK NEXT YEAR BETTER PREPARED TO GIVE IT ANOTHER GO.

8/21/2007 10:03:08 PM

addison Il

Be proud of whatever it is you have grown and don't let anyone else's pumpkin weights get to you. So you wont get the world record but in your patch you will have your records. You have grown a pumpkin its yours ,it came from your work.Our first yr growing we took a 59pdr and a 61pdr to our very first weight off. Normally they need a forklift to move the pumpkins. In our case we carried ours. They where selling pumpkins at that farm that where way bigger then ours. When they called our names to weigh our pumpkins we stood proudly and guessed our weights. The next yr we showed up and I beat my PB by 201 pds I would say huge change. Its not about just how big a pumpkin is anymore its about the friends you make. As for winning the weigh off If you win its great but for me its all about trying.For me I go to our weigh off because theres nothing like being part of a great group. The tips you learn and the pride you feel In just growing something that makes most pause in awe is better then any prize money anyone can offer.I for one could care less if I beat my PB this yr for me its all fun and every yr I will try try again.If your bummed about not going that big this yr think on this at least you have a pumpkin. Some growers will have a huge pumpkin on the vine and there all smiles just to go out for a routine check only to find the pumpkin went down. Other growers cant even get any pollinations to take. Sometimes things just happen it does not mean we should be sad it just means that next yr we will try again (There is always a next yr). Know this whatever you grow Theres someone out there right now wishing they could grow a giant pumpkin. Whatever you weight at your weigh off there will be supporters clapping for you. Everyone gets bummed once and a great while. Dream of next yr,Just think when you beat your PB you can come on this site and say I remember last yr when I was so down and everyone cheered me up LOL. Grow em big regardless of the yr you do it in.

8/21/2007 10:49:13 PM

Minnesota

Because if I was'nt out enjoying the sun, outdoors, getting dirty I would probably working. That is why I decided in the first place to try this, it sounded fun, and is!!!!!!!

8/21/2007 11:54:36 PM

Aloha, Oregon

Imagine The Years To Come...!!!!

(Thats What I Do)

Thanks!

Jordan

8/22/2007 6:36:35 AM

[email protected]

Lissemys,
A) Do you want to break the world record?
B) Do you want to win your local weigh-off?
C) What is your PB?

I'm guessing the answer is yes to A and B. If it is yes,
(1)What happened this year to keep you from reaching either of those goals?
(2)what will it take to reach those goals next season?

That question won't be answered quickly or easily. If you believe you already know then ask yourself if you want to put in the effort it takes to reach those goals. If you don't know then revert back to question 1.

(3) Do you have what it takes, physiclly, mentally, financially and the time to do it?

(4) If the answer to 3 is yes, Do you WANT to do what it takes?

I don't know how experenced of a grower you are but maybe there is something left to learn this season. I find the first half of the season to be the easy part, its finishing thats the hard part. You could try pushing your plants for maximum late season gains, there could be a lot to be learned now that could help you win that weigh-off next year.

8/22/2007 2:02:11 PM

[email protected]

Last season I had one rolling above the 1000lb pace for the first 30 days, then it slowed down, it finished at a best of 877lbs in my first attempt. Not bad, I thought, but I know it could of been bigger. It needed more water, earlier pollinations(877 was pollinated July 13th) and better late season care. I didn't get to do much patch prep last fall or in the spring due to my work schedule. I expected a let down season this year. My goal was to hit the 1000lb mark this season. I met the earlier pollination goal, water hasn't been a problem either. Of my 2 top spots, one plant, 1334 Daletas, just couldn't get going, it had small leaves and vines growing in every direction, it was behind from early on. My other top spots plant, 792 Kline, was off and running early and was pollinated on June 30th. A cool first half of July held it back some I thought, but that didn't matter. On August 3rd it was 502 lbs, however it blossom end split that night. An almost sure PB was down the drain. I have put not fertilizers in my soil this season or last, it was just a flaw inside the fruit. Now my hope lies in the 1334, that is just cathing up to where the 792 was, and that it will go way heavy to the charts, LOL. Mother nature is the biggest part of this game and you can't change what she deals you, all you can do is the do best you can in any given season. Thats the challenge.

8/22/2007 2:05:48 PM