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Rhode Island

i have seen many growers come and go over the years here on big pumpkins.com

i dont have a lot of figures to back me up but id guess half or more reading this will be out of the giant pumpkin growing hobby within a couple years.its just a very difficult hobby to be sucessful with.
even the top growers are fortunate to have a 50-60 percent success rate each season.

some new growers stay a couple years, some try it once and give up and, every so often a few will fall in love with the hobby, looking forward to each and every moment, driven by that elusive goal,be it a championship weight, beautiful color,or perfect shape.

they will spend far to much money on seed,soil ammendments, drenches,books, articles and sprays,plus they cannot start the day without at least a look see over the patch. ( even though you spent several hrs there yesterday-lol)
if this sounds like you? congrats you have fallen hard for the hobby.

after all someone has to be a hobby leader in the years to come?someones got to carry the torch forward each and every year.

i used to think getting much more weight from a fiece of fruit was getting close to its limits however, after what ive seen over the past couple years? anythings possible.
its the new growers that get this fever ( and dont ley go of it ), that will keep the hobby going many years from now.
will it be you??????????????????

pap wallace

8/8/2014 5:22:15 PM

Washington Co. Va.

i live in va. and love it my 2 year at growen first year 800 lds . 2 year not going to good But that is the ups and downs of it .hope to be in the 1000 ld club at the end of year eather way cant wate till seed aution this fall to spend some money

8/8/2014 7:30:17 PM

Central NY

Amen pap....

8/8/2014 7:48:26 PM

Mount Vernon, Washington

This is my third year but I am just not disciplined enough to grow a 1000 lbs. I know what I have to do but always have to see what the plant will do. So instead of culling the fruit early and tearing out plants that have flat vines I just keep on watching to see what this amazing plant will do next. So I'm not a serious pumpkin grower, and If I reach 500 this year I'll be turning cartwheels in the yard. But I do love the hobby and hope to keep learning and experimenting for years to come.

8/8/2014 11:52:27 PM

valparaiso, in

I have seen my fair share come and go in my few short years here. This is a tough hobby.

8/8/2014 11:54:16 PM

Hanson Ma

Pap. Have you been spying on me? LOL!

8/9/2014 6:51:51 AM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

You guys are stuck with me.

8/9/2014 7:26:59 AM

Princeville, IL

Second year growing giants, big oranges, and big fields. Ride around the patches each morning on the three wheeler (yes I still have one of those) to check them out, work in them all day, and then ride around them again at night to check on them again. Not sure if I am hooked or obsessed. I know I am obsessed with trying to grow the big fields. I am a little ( or a lot humbled) trying to grow the giants.

8/9/2014 8:22:42 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

So many things cause this issue. Sometimes it is families get into sports, Divorce, Purchase a new house with out a growing place, they have had 2 or 3 years in a row of hard work and nothing to show.
Sometimes they get into this hobby thinking they are going to grow the next world record, and are disappointed when it is not that easy. Compete against yourself and improve every year is possible
Sometimes they get lucky the first season, with a huge one, then struggle for a few seasons after that.

8/9/2014 10:28:27 AM

Deal With It

This is my third year overall, and first year on this site. I'll be hanging around, as I think I've finally figured out some of the major factors that have been inhibiting my success. Here in Oklahoma, it's difficult to keep pumpkin vines alive in the recommended "full sun," even when they're buried. Thus, I strategized a location that's in the shade for the peak sunlight hours. This doesn't seem to be working. For 2015, I'm going to plant theoretically identical seeds in both full and partial sun. My "full sun" results with generic seeds in 2012 show that even if the pumpkin has fewer number of days to grow because the leaves are burning up, the sun still rapidly accelerates the growth per day, while the plant is still alive. Thus, 2015 will be my first year planting a super heavyweight seed in a full-sun environment, and just hoping that we have a cool summer down here, just like this year. We've yet to reach 100 degrees at our house this summer, which is an extreme rarity for this location.

8/9/2014 3:06:11 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

I say every year I am done, and then I come back. If it wasn't for the website the last 5 years, I doubt I'd grow. Too many good people with lots of knowledge to walk away now.

8/9/2014 5:32:26 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

The website is a deal breaker! It challenges me to stay at it, just adjust my goals to fit what I can invest, both time and money! After my second year, I could hear Pap in my ear saying 'you'll be gone in a year' and that motivated me! I'm challenge driven! I assessed what I wanted and the cost to make it interesting each year. First, was it would not and will not be my top hobby (money sucker) so, I had to accept that I wasn't going to come out flaming, but rather a more relaxed approach learning a bit more each year and so far successfully! Second make realistic goals that were very attainable, ie; second year goal, 300lbs., third year, 500lbs., this year it is 800lbs. We're right on target, but more thrilling to me is the health of all my plants(5), yeah, there are some issues( one plant is just not going to produce anything to show anyone! Lesson is to learn when to give up on a plant for my sanity! It's getting close! Thus, my reward so far is three very nice plants with sets from early July, four producers, one that is on target to hit 1000lbs! Pap, the lesson you teach is solid, it's a very tough hobby, not for the faint of heart!

8/10/2014 11:00:01 AM

Hot West Tennessee

I am with Luke. Every year I say the heck with this. Not taking vacations,working 6 days a week and still spending time needed in patch , money etc. And then theres the weather. There is nothing like having the best two plants ever. Two weeks ahead of normal. And it rains 10 inches in 10 days . Six inches in 48 hours at one point and you loose everything. Bam . What a rollacoaster of thoughts and feelings. But.... If I give up the deafeated feeling will always be there. So thanks Pap I will be back next year!

8/10/2014 8:04:21 PM

So. Maine

Pap's always been good to rally the growers new & old . Growing AG's is not easy IF it were Everyone would grow if they had a spot to do it .

agteacher ; using a 3 and a 4 wheeler up here in Maine . The 3 is the grandsons it's a 84 Honda 70 but I jump on it if I just need to do a quick trip to the fields & back . I've been running a 95 Suzuki King Quad ( purchased new ) and will turn 11,000 miles before seasons end . It's a workhorse .

8/10/2014 9:53:54 PM

Federal Way, WA

This is my second year attempting to grow a giant...failed pretty hard last year, heh. I was actually bit by the bug when I was only 12...somehow got the idea that I wanted to grow a big pumpkin but without an internet connection, ended up growing a 90lb Big Max. Did that a few years in a row before going into high school and then college, until full circle, I came back last year, to try and do it 'right'. We shall see.

8/10/2014 11:13:05 PM

Cameron

It is tough to be successful in this hobby, but if you do commit yourself to it, you will see some great improvements & some success. Splits are a deciding factor in this hobby. If you lose your kins to splits 2 years in a row, then I can see why growers wouldn't want to waste their time growing them again. If you are experiencing problems like this, then I suggest you try to grow some of the other giant veggies as well as the kins. If your not successful at the pumpkins that year, you could be competitive with field pumpkins or LGs, cabbage, tomatoes, etc. Find your niche in this hobby & run with it. Good luck.

Jane & Phil

8/11/2014 9:58:35 AM

Aurora, Il

I am really excited this year about growing my 1st giant!! I have a 685 Janowiak x 1185 Shenoha growing by leaps and bounds with a generous OTT - Great White Cream Puff. Sorry, I know I am getting sentimental!! Not a giant as many I read of on Big Pumpkins, but I managed so far through a bout of seed corn maggots - she survived and is a very big girl!!, a cool spring, lots of flooding and witnessing my son's giant pumpkin suddenly taken over by a blossom end rot. Hopefully, we can make it through the next months of varied weather and potential theft that has been ongoing in our area. Regardless, I am excited and grateful for everyone's input, wealth of wisdom and stories of journey!!

8/11/2014 4:02:10 PM

Home of happy lil plants

The hunts are on it at least with the watermelons I 100% at least have something to show this season.

Still a good longshot loaded and ready to go. build Bigger and better next year no matter what happens;;

8/11/2014 5:42:38 PM

Colorado

Hey papster. Lots of new blood out there growing wise. Keeps the hobby improving .Have to give lots of credit to BP.com. and any coverage the weighoffs get. And that first 2000 lber your son grew didn't hurt.

8/11/2014 6:33:14 PM

Winston Salem, NC

I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. I've had the bug since I saw my first one over 1000 lbs in 2009. I had no idea how much more than "normal" gardening skills it took to grow these monsters. I finally got pumpkins to the scale last year and I've already got a new personal best this year. Things can only get better when I finally get out of grad school and have some serious time on my hands to do more. Oh and you guys know when you're looking for a house...it has to have patch space...those are in your wedding vows right?

8/12/2014 5:25:31 PM

So. Maine

and access to plenty of H20

8/12/2014 10:42:28 PM

Sloughhouse

Im a first time grower and have learned alot. Killed the first seeds with kindness and had to start over. Biggest pumpkin was planted directly in the mound instead of starting in the greenhouse. Got spider mites that took over my plants. Steady spraying and making
sure no varmits in the patch. As long as i can afford it , i'll continue as a grower. I appreciate this site and have met some wonderful people
in my local pumpkin community.

8/13/2014 1:38:05 AM

New England

my problem is lack of free time to dedicate to the plants. Im sure in the future I might have to take a year off here and there but its certainly not a hobby for those who cant handle things going wrong every year. lol

8/13/2014 8:19:29 AM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

Having absolutely been a pumpkin fan all my life- even as a kid my brother and I competed to get the biggest one in the garden- growing these guys is like having the cake, the icing, and the neighbors cookies all in one! LOL

8/13/2014 12:40:07 PM

Goodwood, Ontario, Canada

I can't wait for next year. I say that every year when I realize that my hopes of growing a really big one have been dashed. This year the wind, bugs and diseases have not been an issue but the cool wet summer has stunted my pumpkins. Not sure how I learn from this year.

8/14/2014 6:45:46 PM

Rhode Island

i have met some of the nicest people during my many years of growing.once and a while you may get the occasional dork but, for the most part? all great people.
pap

8/25/2014 4:46:26 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

That's the best part of it! Not! But it helps!

8/27/2014 12:03:13 AM

Mission Viejo, CA

I am going to move to a place with a bigger yard and better environmental conditions just because of this hobby. Orange is addicting! And, what Pap said. Everyone I've met has been so kind and helpful. The pumpkin community is so great. Even that Chris Dunn fella! LOL

9/3/2014 3:43:35 PM

Concord, CA.

Chris who??

9/3/2014 6:58:14 PM

Torrance, Ca.

I heard that guy lost all his pumpkins this year,,,,,,?

9/3/2014 7:56:43 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

just as well Chris - having your 6 year old beat you would have been worse than him beating me!

9/3/2014 11:51:13 PM

Torrance, Ca.

He's got me this year ;) Its made my whole year not so bad after all :)

He still has 7 long weeks for something to go wrong... lol

9/4/2014 1:00:13 AM

3 acre corner in Whittaker,Mi USA (faulkner5@msn.com)

My last 2 years I've had bad luck with lousy weather at the worst times during the season which has kept me from bringing anything to the weighoffs and (like everyone here at some point) I've asked myself why do i keep trying and i just remember the feeling of success i had in 2011 when i grew my first big one, Sitting in an easy chair looking over the plants and marveling at how that huge plant came from that one little seed that some nice guy or gal sent you over the winter. For me..watching the plant grow and thrive is almost as exciting as watching the pumpkins grow. I guess you could say that it's a combination of a bunch of smaller things that i like into one bigger/cooler thing..i plan on being here for a long time and hopfully I'll still be around and more wiser than i am helpin out the new generation of growers...enough of my ramblings now..seriously this pumpkin ale beer has got me a little faded. Eric

10/1/2014 11:07:37 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

this is my 27th year growing lost all pkins this year will be at it again next year.

10/2/2014 9:50:16 AM

Aurora, Il

I was challenged to grow my first by my son. He lost all his pumpkins this year. I planted a 685 Janowiak and crossed it with an 1185 Shenoha (shazzy is the guru of pumpkins!!). At a recent weigh off, it weighed 194# and went 4% heavy. I am new at this, but really excited to keep trying next year! Small, but mighty! Thanks to everyone from bigpumpkins.com for sharing your wisdom and encouragement.

10/2/2014 6:32:05 PM

Going Green

Greetings Pap! You are the best! If all the experienced growers were like you the sport would flourish. Your wisdom and experience is available to the masses. Those of us who grow for the joy of sharing with others will be here for years to come. My greatest joy is not the blue ribbon or the money but it is the joy of kids and senior citizens when I pull my pumpkins, squash, cantaloupe and other veggies around for them to see and for mom and dad to take pictures with them sitting on the pumpkin. I raise a few extra plants just to have 100-200 pounders to give away in October! Spread the joy...this is a great hobby!

12/30/2014 9:57:12 AM