From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Caceres, mid west of Spain

Well friends, today has been and is going to be a long day. I awaked up at 6 am and tonight I have to assist to a friends wedding. I have enjoyed a little "siesta" after the contest, and rather than do anything else I sat down in front of the screen to share with you my experience.
We have bad news and good ones as well. The bad are that both of my pumpkins were light, as many supposed. The good ones are that I won the contest, the 600.5 went over 1000 and I proudly got the new European Record. As soon as I bring the pictures to my PC, you will be able to watch how the first AGP Contest in Spain has been. But here you have the official results:

8/29/2003 12:24:08 PM

Central Connecticut

Great Job!!!! I was just enjoying your diary. The pictures at the end look great. All your hard work has payed off in a big way. Congratulations! Chris

8/29/2003 12:36:48 PM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

1º Carlos Perez: 1036 lbs (470 Kg x 2.2046 converdion factor) 600.5 x 950.4
2º Angeles Calderon (lovely wife): 795 lbs (360.5 Kg) 869.5 x 790
3º Jose M. Campon: 766 lbs (347.5 Kg) 597 Welty x open
4º Mati Tirado: 568 lbs (257.5) 455 Liggett x open

The third and fourth are friends of mine I gave seeds to.

8/29/2003 12:38:27 PM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

As you can see, the 1036 was 5.4% light, not too bad. But wow! I got very surprised with the 795 as it resulted 16.7% light. It seems that I follow Boily's steps.

8/29/2003 12:44:39 PM

Edmonton, Canada

Wow, you broke 1000! Hold your head high, you've achieved something it often takes years to accomplish. Way to go!!!

8/29/2003 12:52:24 PM

Edmonton, Canada

Have any other first year growers ever broken 1000?

8/29/2003 12:52:50 PM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

Well, as I've got my first goal, which secretely hide in the deepest of my mind was to get the European Record, I will tell you what is my new one:
To break it next month with the 950.4 Boyton!!!

8/29/2003 12:55:12 PM

Commack, NY

Great job Carlos! congratulations!!

scott

8/29/2003 1:19:27 PM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

Congratulations Carlos first European Pumpkin over 1000lb will always be remembered.

Mark

8/29/2003 1:24:37 PM

Indiana

Congratulations Carlos

8/29/2003 1:35:10 PM

Monrovia,CA

Three cheers for Carlos' new European record!!
Excellent job! Congratulations!
Michelle

8/29/2003 2:06:52 PM

Belgium/brussels

Great job with breaking the european record !
Congratulations !!!
I'm very happy that you grew the 1st pumpkin that went over 1000 Lbs !!!

Stijn.

8/29/2003 2:23:08 PM

Hi Carlos,
My sincerest congratulations!!!
This is an amazing accomplishment for the sport of growing giant pumpkins in Europe!
All your commitment and hard work paid off and breaking the 1000lbs barrier as a first year grower is just unbelievable!
Good luck with your big pumpkin that you have still growing on your 950.4 plant.
I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures!
Best wishes,
Martin

8/29/2003 2:29:52 PM

Key West, FL

Congrats, you are in the history books now.

8/29/2003 2:33:33 PM

North Ga

Nice job Carlos!!! I always look forward to your posts.

8/29/2003 2:39:13 PM

Montoursville, PA

Carlos..........We are all happy for you. Now move up one level and be the first to break a thousand with the 950.4 Boyton. Two in one year would be even higher respect and honor for you.

8/29/2003 2:49:31 PM

Nova Scotia

good stuff don, shame you went light though i was hoping you'd go heavey like 1330 so as to be the second biggest ever (first i'd like to see stay with houghton for a little longer)

8/29/2003 2:53:56 PM

Cooks Creek, Manitoba, Canada

Brought a big smile to my face to see you break 1000lbs - great job and congratulations!

8/29/2003 4:47:39 PM

wilmington,ma.

Great job Carlos,

8/29/2003 5:12:38 PM

KENTUCKY

congrats Carlos

8/29/2003 5:36:48 PM

Jamestown, NY

Great season Carlos. It's been amazing to follow your diary. Congratulations!

Tim

8/29/2003 5:38:23 PM

Sloughhouse, CA

Way to go Carlos. and your wife did great too. All the growers did great their first yr. Next year you should have more growers in your area.

8/29/2003 5:40:33 PM

[email protected]

Congratulations Carlos! To break 1000 is something anywhere. To do it in the Spanish summer is really something special.

CHEERS!

Steve

8/29/2003 5:41:05 PM

Leicester, NY

Carlos,
Congratulations on setting a new European record! We all tip our hat to you..Joe P.

8/29/2003 5:44:07 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Awesome Dude! Yikes!
Not for nothing when you set PB's you ain't Kidding! Some of us like to work up to 1000....LOL

doulble Yikes!

well done...you deserved it....now give the poor horse some time off!
congrats
Chuck

8/29/2003 5:47:30 PM

colorado

Very well done Carlos, just wait till next year, they'll get thicker walls

8/29/2003 5:51:00 PM

Schenectady,New York

Great job Carlos, congratulations on setting the new European record. Ray

8/29/2003 6:04:45 PM

Carrollton, Ga.

Great Job Carlos, I,m happy for you,
Doug

8/29/2003 6:05:57 PM

Okla

Carlos
Big Congradulations to your success. Now you have a bigger goal for next year to look forward to.
Thomas Hathorn
S.W. Oklahoma

8/29/2003 6:15:20 PM

Mastic Beach, New York

Awsome,you did a great job..gives you something to try for next yr!!!

billy

8/29/2003 6:16:49 PM

Bristol, ME ([email protected])

Congratulations Carlos on your record acheivement, a true reflection of your meticulously pruned plants and the countless hours you have put forth into this sport. It has been an honor to be able to share your season through your grower diary. Best of luck on your quest for another 1000plus with the 950 Boynton.

8/29/2003 6:17:41 PM

Sask, Canada

Excellent, Carlos....

Great job on your pumpkin.

TTYL
Ernie
Giant Veggies

8/29/2003 6:30:20 PM

Queensland, Australia

well done
been a pleasure to watch your patch grow during our winter.
Good luck with the 950
Clinton

8/29/2003 6:57:46 PM

Saegertown Pa.

Congratulations Carlos good luck with the rest of the season
Quinn

8/29/2003 7:16:24 PM

Sydney, Australia

Carlos,
Awesome job!!! Over 1000 pounds!!!! The Spanish heat couldn't take enough weight out of the fruit to deny you this milestone! An incredible journey your diary, always been the first thing I've looked at on this site! Thanks for all your updates during the season and all your help too. Good luck with my 950.4, if Mushroom weighs over 1000 too...... that would be a first for a new grower!!! Ben

8/29/2003 7:25:03 PM

Western Pa.

Congrats Carlos!

Don't forget to thank your beautiful horse, as well!

kilr

8/29/2003 7:35:41 PM

Liverpool , England

Great Job Carlos,
This is the only pumpkin grown outside the USA or Canada to weigh over 1000lbs.

Alun

8/29/2003 7:46:56 PM

Arizona

Congratulations Carlos!!!

Wow, I knew You could do it Buddy!!!!

Jeff

8/29/2003 8:17:43 PM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Congratulations to a truly great grower. You have done what all pumpkin grower strive for, a pumpkin over 1000# and a new European record to boot. Way to go!!!

Phil from Cameron

8/29/2003 8:36:53 PM

Massachusetts

Way to go Carlos! It's been a real pleasure watching them grow!
Steve

8/29/2003 9:03:16 PM

New Brunswick

Congrats Carlos! You sure know what you are doing! What a thrill it must be to raise one that big!

8/29/2003 10:37:31 PM

Puyallup, WA

A tremendous feat! Congratulations! An honor well deserved!

8/29/2003 10:51:15 PM

van isle b.c. canada

carlos, congrats on 1036. your hard work paid off. you certainly deserved to win, congrats again and may the 950 be even heavier. craig

8/29/2003 11:15:44 PM

Farmington, Utah

Way to go Carlos. Kenny B

8/29/2003 11:32:45 PM

Manchester, N.h.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!That must be an awsome feeling.....Flora

8/29/2003 11:45:23 PM

Sequim, WA

Great job Carlos. It goes to show what hard work study and dedication can help a person achieve. I think we have all learned something watching your efforts over the past year. Congratulations. Chris

8/30/2003 12:48:29 AM

Sancoins / Cher / FRANCE

Congratulations Carlos very good work, you made one managed to be supposed to be the bar of the 1 000 Lbs Europe it is brilliant, I still congratulate you for this magnificent fruit which you cultivated.
Jean louis

8/30/2003 12:55:35 AM

Knopp, Germany

Carlos you have accomplished a goal that many thought would never happen in Europe. Congrats on breaking the 1000 lb barrier, and best of luck with the 950, bring a new world record to Seegraeben!

8/30/2003 1:49:19 AM

nanaimo,B.C,Canada

awesome job Carlos,you sure have done your homework in growing these magnificent specimens. All the hardwork is sure worth it in the end. I'll never get tired of growing these amazing fruit. If anyone deserves it ,it's you. Always looking forward to checking out your diary,and keep it going and you might just break the world yet.

Dave

8/30/2003 1:52:24 AM

nanaimo,B.C,Canada

missed a word . world record yet.

Dave

8/30/2003 1:53:47 AM

porterville, calif.

Carlos you have proved a 1000 lb Pumpkin can be grown in the heat. Now there is no excuse for any of us to say it,s to hot. Im really happy for you. You are a true winner and a great person ,you have set goals for all of us here to try and reach. Keep doing what you are doing you are awesome!!Greg

8/30/2003 3:31:02 AM

Southern Sweden

Well done Carlos and my greatest

8/30/2003 4:39:12 AM

Southern Sweden

Well done Carlos and my greatest Congratulations to your European pumpkin-record

8/30/2003 4:44:52 AM

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Carlos, congratulations again! I believe that you are a player for the world record too!

8/30/2003 6:53:54 AM

No Place Special

Carlos, Only one word to describe you and your accomplishments..... AWESOME! I also look forward to watching your diary on almost a daily basis. Best of luck with your next attempt at 1000 plus lbs! If anyone deserves it you do! Mike Frantz

8/30/2003 10:53:45 AM

Tipp City, Ohio

Congratulations!
Tom

8/30/2003 1:21:25 PM

Wroclaw, Poland (51 N, 17 E)

Congratulations! I always read your Diary when I enter BP.com. It is great!

I hope, that your 2nd pumpkin will be over 1000lbs too, and that you will grow world record pumpkin one year!

8/30/2003 3:25:28 PM

Joliet, IL

big smiles here carlos and all season long. thank you
for your devotion to growing pumpkins...it is infectious.
you were an inspiration to me all season long to get
off my but and do was what needed to be done even when i was
tired and the misquitos were fierce.
congrats mi amigo, you desreve it.

jeff shenoha

8/30/2003 9:44:25 PM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

Thank you very much friends for your kind words. They cheered me up and make this sport of ours a much more satisfactory endeavour. The truth is that this summer I got a bad weather, but a lot of luck.
You all know that to grow Giant Pumpkins is not and easy task, it is not cheap either. If we have to count our personal time like if it was a worker time... Uf! But we all are in this sport for fun; we like to have a big one, even a bigger one than my neighbour, though if he leaves in Sweden and me in Spain, but at the same time, we enjoy seeing huge pumpkins from other growers at any time, and we feel happy for any big pumpkin grown out there, as all of them are monuments to the best part of us.
Records are made to be broken as they are only a rope to pull us up. Numbers aren't bad of course and when a pumpkin weighs heavy in the scale is breathtaking, but the image of my 1036 with my lovely wife is in my PC and in my heart forever.
I want to cheer all of you up, we all can do it better, and not every year is going to be a bad lucky one.
And if you wonder what is the secret if any. I’ll say as I was told it by Tim Bailey when I asked him for his great success cause. “I improved the soil a lot this year”. Is the soil, you have to improve and balance it until it became the best possible soil in any human imagination. You can’t be greedy with soil and water. And then, choose the right seed, and keep always an eye on every square inch of the plant. (Oh my God, I am speaking like if I had been planting monsters for years. Forgive me).

Carlos

8/31/2003 3:55:36 AM

Joliet, IL

carlos,
you are forgiven. lol. no need to apologize. nice to
see the grower of a 1000+ pumpkin be so humble.
luck may have a big part in growing big pumpkins, but
your hard work and soil prep increased your odds
by huge margins. not only many big big pumpkins from
one patch, but big watermelons too. maybe mushroom will
have some thicker walls since your heat wave has ended.
congrats again on a job well done.
shazzy

8/31/2003 8:02:03 AM

Whidbey Island

And here I've been at this 10 years and have yet to hit 500 pounds (but it looks like this may be the year). Way to go and congrats from this little corner of the Pacific Northwest.

9/1/2003 12:51:05 AM

Massillon, Ohio

carlos,

you are 'da man' !!!!!! awesome awesome awesome. i think everyone on here saw it coming when last winter you were sending us all emails asking for every kind of info you could find from our part of the country / world. we were like 'who is this guy and how can finding out weather in ohio help him out' ?? we knew you were on to something !!!!!!!! well i think we all can see that hard work pays off and you REALLY deserve everything good that is happening to you!!

with all my respect,
christy

9/1/2003 1:44:18 PM

In the shade - PDX, OR

Nice work Carlos!

We have all enjoyed your diary entries this year.
This provides good learning opportunities for others.
Thanks for sharing your season with us.

Good Luck with Mushroom & I hope that she goes even heavier than the 1036!

Cheers,
Ceis

9/2/2003 7:44:14 PM