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Western NY

The yearly color debate has gotten me thinking about the rule's effect on the growers. So, i ask of you this - Do the Color Rules AT YOUR WEIGHOFF determine, in some way, what seeds you will be planting? do you shy away from some seeds if you might get a squmpkin? and please, if you answer this question, include if the rules at your weighoff are different than the typical debated rule. this is more complicated than it may seem.

for example, here's my answer:

for the last 3 years, i have weighed at Altoona. they have a seperate squash category like most. so, i usually plant one squash plant in one of my worst spots, knowing i can get a 4-500 pound fruit, and likely place top 3 (i've been 3, 2, 3) since not very many people grow squash.

1/31/2004 12:18:27 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Andy, Yes and Yes. Yes > The 3 or 4 pumpkins I will grow this year will be, I hope all orange fruit. Yes > I will grow one all green squash but dedicate a good spot to it. Its pollinater will be all green heritage as well but in a lesser spot. Port Elgin is much the same.

Russ L.

1/31/2004 12:30:50 PM

Clinton, Iowa

I suspect Anamosa is way way ahead of it's time.....THEY are a giant cucurbit contest....As in...Biggest by weight takes all...no matter th ecolor...we only make rulings on fruits that COULD possibly win GPC prize money. We also make calls on any fruits that are in the top ten that are squash for top ten PUMPKIN averages for Al Eaton and his graphs.
I think this situation really makes things simple and easy. Saves alot of the hassels I heard you guys all go thru!!
Just my 2 cents worth

1/31/2004 5:07:50 PM

Calif

Dan we do the same at our little fair weigh-off. why because its beginner grower friendly and cut and dry. I don't like hassles when its meant for fun and games. Makes it simple

Andy how it is here in California is we are lucky to have diversity. HMB is independent and does a great Job perhaps the closest----- to the Heaviest wins ---but never have seen many all greenies. Elk grove is our GPC site and does a splendid job-----They don't get too technical on the measuring of the % but leave it to the 5 judges call Most the growers seem to lean towards predominant base color rules and the blend of judges make a fair call. Borchards Salinas is a random grower opinion and factored in. i think that its pretty tough to try and make everyone happy --------------but feel most growers are very happy with our weigh-off sites. Of course we have some individual disappointments when squmpkin beats a true greenie or a true orangie---but theres always next year when the chips fall your way. As long as it all up front its all good. And no just plant what has dream potential...

The couple of squash positions have been like what you say Andy---throw one in-------but thats going to change heed the call .......lol..MB

1/31/2004 6:20:42 PM

Yes Andy: It does diciate which seed I plant to the point that I will not plant a green this year intentionally. Need to regain orange record. LOL

1/31/2004 7:54:56 PM

Long Island,New York

If green were allowed in the GPC pumpkin contest here Id grow it every year. If they even wieghed it w/o a hassle I'd grow one every year....but they dont, and they dont...so I dont. As new opportunities for contest increase around here the GPC contest becomes less important to me..so yes...it does have a say in what I grow.(As does the wife, unfortunately.)

1/31/2004 9:13:55 PM

Wood River, Nebraska

I'm currently working to establish a weigh off site for Nebraska and surrounding states. My view currently is heaviest sound fruit wins regardless of color. I value feedback from all. A new website is currently under construction The HGPGA (Heartland Giant Pumpkin Grower’s Association) and will go live in the next couple of months. I’d really appreciate hearing from growers that would be interested in the organization and weigh-off site. The proposed site for the weigh off is Husker Harvest Days: see the following link. http://www.huskerharvestdays.com/ME2/Audiences/default.asp

2/1/2004 1:13:34 PM

Western NY

i'm in the same situation Dave, which is part of the reason i asked the question. i think what will end up happening with us is that it will be put to a vote to those who will be planning on attending the weighoff. do it the democratic way. the thing i was curious about is how the rules may affect our choices of seeds also. if it's a heaviest wins competition, will there be more squash? do squash growers like it that way, or do they want to have a seperate category to showcase their fruit in?

2/2/2004 10:32:52 AM

Webster, NY

Andy, I really haven't yet been able to grow anything "really" big yet, so I'm not really worried about color right now. If it's a pumpkin great, if it's a squash, great, if it's really, really big, greater!

Dave

2/2/2004 10:54:20 AM

Sequim, WA

The reality of the situation is that the people who write the checks decide what they want in their contest. Our club the PNWGPG was involved in 5 contests this year. The GPC color rule was only applied at the GPC event. True green squash growers have always played second fiddle. And squmpkin growers walk a fine line when they try to get a fruit that can change color to qualify for the better payout for pumpkins at most contests. We are fortunate to have this many events as it makes it easier on the grower to choose his events and fruit accordingly. All the same I always like to choose seeds that produce good color for some of my plants. For a grower who only has room for one or two, this is a more difficult decision. When I make my crosses I also keep this factor in mind when it's possible. My choices for this coming season have been influenced by color already, my proven seeds I plant will be selected based on the predominant color of the offspring along with size. Big + Orange = Planted. As a grower of squash as well, I prefer that green-gray-blue squash be the only entries in the squash category. Most of us only have one event where squash have a place, and putting marginal squmpkins in this contest does it to the detriment of the "purists" for green squash. The squmpkin is here to stay I am afraid. The question is, what is its place? My belief is the best place is at a non-GPC contest unless the GPC opens up a third category for it.

2/2/2004 11:06:38 AM

Sequim, WA

For clubs that want to start new weighoff sites and contests. The decision is completely up to them and the sponsors who write the check. If they do not want to affiliate with the GPC they can do it any way they like. It was thought by many that the green fruit would in time be heavier than the orange ones, but that has not been the case. The orange and the squmpkins are the heaviest and I do not see that changing any time soon as these are what are being grown by most growers. So if it is a heaviest wins, then the true green squash is not likely to walk away with top prize anytime soon. Squmpkins though will likely be well represented.

2/2/2004 11:06:47 AM

ontario

never say never

2/2/2004 1:11:25 PM