From

Location

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Date Posted

Rush, NY

The GPC rules state that a Pumpkin must be a MINIMUM of 75% Creme (white), Yellow or Orange. I'm not going to give specific examples but there were at least two 1000 plus pounders this year that I know about that didn't come close to the color requirement to be classified a Pumpkin. I could give you several other examples in previous years. It appears Judges and Site Directors and allowing fruit that are predominately "lime green" be classified as Pumpkin. The Color requirement is not applied consistantly from site to site. The rules say if a fruit does not meet the 75% requirement, Its a Squash.
Since there is no way to apply the rule consistantly from site to site, I would like to see the rule changed to state that a Squash must be a TRUE Green (not lime green) or Grey color. Otherwise, Its a Pumpkin.
Before I suggest this to the GPC officials, I would like to here your from many of you growers on this subject.

11/11/2001 5:38:28 AM

canal winchester ohio

Len,
Ive always been a firm believer that geen is squash & all else is pumpkin. If not done this way it leaves way to much room for play for people to judge their "squash" , a pumpkin as it might be close to a record & they would like to lay claim to having the record.
As the weights get smaller at the weighoff (ex.) 500 lb range they have no problem throwing it into the squash catagory, In some cases the smaller pumpkin judged "squash"
looks more pumpkin than the one that went over 1000 that was judged pumpkin.
I wish you luck in your quest to try to have it changed, but I'm afraid we're just " spitting in the wind".
I'm sure this won't be the last post by me or anyone on this subject as it ALWAYS stirs things up....GOOD.. lets stir it up enough to get it changed........Paul

11/11/2001 8:37:39 AM

Leicester, NY

Len,
I agree with you 100%! Often, there is much confusion at the weighoffs trying to figure out whether a certain fruit might be a pumpkin or squash. Paul, you make a good point, the size or lack of size seems play into the rules. If we define a squash as being a TRUE green or gray color, that will take all of the guess work out of it and make it a lot easier on the site officials too… Joe P.

11/11/2001 10:14:49 AM

memphis ny

Len,
I agree that squash should be grey or a true green.All else would be a pumpkin.Jeff A

11/11/2001 2:42:07 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

len,
i also agree with your proposal. last nite i voted for that on a website poll that i'll be darned that i can't find again to share with the list. maybe someone else knows what i'm talking about. i believe it was offered thru the Mallorn list ?

11/11/2001 6:33:33 PM

canal winchester ohio

There is a website poll on the IPGA website " I voted also.......Paul

11/11/2001 7:00:44 PM

Long Island,New York

Len....I'm confused why you think Lime green ones shouldn't be squash....are you referring to the 990Hebb* as a lime green fruit?......Glenn A

11/11/2001 7:26:14 PM

Choctaw, OK

i agree with len....true green (or gray) is squash and all rest should be pumpkin!

Case

11/12/2001 12:04:50 PM

Utah

OK OK I'll be thelone dissenter...(so far)

PUMPKINS ARE ORANGE !!! PUMPKINS ARE ORANGE !!!

everything else should be a squash !
the fundamental general defintion of
a pumpkin is that is orange. That's how
the public sees it and that's how i see it.
go ask you kids, coworkers, friends, neighbors,
people on the street and anyone else you can
think of, what is a pumpkin. 99.9% will give
ORANGE in their answer.
if we all want to grow giant fruit and don't
want to have to worry about color - because our
plant might throw a squash- well then...let
just have giant fruit weighoffs. heaviest takes
all regardless ! why bother with squash at all ?

I think the rules are fine the way they are.
you don't need to make new ones- just enforce the
ones you have. the CPG apparently need to give
more information and guidance to each weigh off
it help/force them to make the right decisions.
I like orange- and i think a lot of others do too.

g1t

11/12/2001 5:13:22 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

gotta admit i like orange too ! what we need is a judging formula that follows the KISS principle (keep it simple stupid) ...lol

11/12/2001 7:47:55 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

Len,
nice to see you back !
duff

11/12/2001 7:49:32 PM

Rush, NY

LIpumpkin: The "lime Green" showed up after WPC and later GPC allowed CREME (white) to be an acceptable color for a Pumpkin. Thus I think it should stay with Pumpkins. It didn't originate with Squash.
I'm not going to get involved in pointing out any specific fruit that I think did not meet the current color requirement rules for Pumpkins. You can look at pictures and judge for yourselves.
g1t: I would also like to see pumpkins be "orange" Because the major organizations bought into accepting creme (white) as an accepted Pumpkin color, the lions share of pumpkins today are not a good "orange" color. That is primarily because most of the first "white" pumpkins were heavy for their size and many growers planted those seeds.
SQUASH (green or Grey) didn't cause the inconsistant judging that exists, so let pumpkins take the rap.

11/13/2001 3:06:17 PM