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Knopp, Germany

Started growing pumpkins in 2001 just 1, then 2002 I grew 4 AGs, 2003 grew 6 stayed so for a few years. Then I reduced 2018 only 3, 2019 only 2, next year? Love AGs but watermelons are so much easier to maintain(not easier to grow, watermelons rock)..LOL I have made friends and enemies. Wouldn't change a thing.

I will not be remembered as the grower that brought the GPC to Europe, or a European Squash Record, or a German Watermelon Record, or to have had the first ever European Patch Tour with 3 Nations involved....I will be remembered as wanting the GPC rules to be fair for all...or as the GPC representatives would say, a pain in the ass.

So is life.

This post is to let all know I have no bad feelings toward you and I hope that one day if God is willing and the creek don't rise we meet one day and can shake hands.

Go heavy, have fun.

2/11/2019 12:58:08 PM

Eddyz@efirehose.net

crap, you were fun!!!!!!!!! enjoy your retirement. Hey summer of 2020 4 of us are coming to Germany/ Poland for 3 weeks to do the sites especially WW2 stuff maybe a beer and visit can be in the cards, or several beers
Eddy

2/11/2019 3:02:16 PM

Rhode Island

Good luck Owen ,,, enjoy your Retirement !!!!!!

2/11/2019 6:25:51 PM

SW Ohio

Nice to see a post from you Owen! Enjoy your retirement and Hooray for watermelons!
Sue~

2/11/2019 8:21:22 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

Owen enjoy retirement. Always good to chat with ya

2/11/2019 8:51:04 PM

Prestonsburg,ky

Enjoy you retirement Owen

2/12/2019 7:20:08 AM

Knopp, Germany

Eddy mi casa es tu casa. Email sent

Thanks Frank, always a good soul, don't change a thing about you.

Sue, well I hope to stay active in the watermelon scene, goal is to tickle the rest of you great growers to respect what central Europe can do, of course I need a respectable weight first, that is my goal.

Glenn, one of my early contacts, not a man of many words but when you speak I listen.

Thanks Dwight.

2/12/2019 12:57:37 PM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

Owen, I will miss you. You had a different view from across the pond that I found refreshing. I hate to see growers retire because my body and energy level are telling me I'm not far behind.

2/12/2019 3:15:44 PM

Bottom of ohio

Well deserved TOP

2/12/2019 7:31:34 PM

Ontario, Canada

Us old guys know what you've done for the sport overseas & we thank you for all your service.
All the best to you Owen. We hope that you'll reach your goal one day soon.

2/13/2019 6:45:47 AM

Knopp, Germany

BillF - to be honest I prepared in the fall of 2018 like this year would be no different, over the winter I ordered supplies for 3 giant pumpkins which BTW will still be delivered, they're paid for. However I have a long history of physical problems caused by sports and the military commitments over 20 years. Medicine has helped me cope but the time has come to either slow down or face surgery, so I have decided to slow down. The decision has been coming but I ignored it, not sure why, guess I didn't want to admit I was getting older. Over the last few weeks the weather has gotten better and after a long winter (for me) I decided to get outside and get busy. The decision to slow down came easy, I physically cannot compete at the level I want, alone the thought of maintain 3 plants, trimming tertiaries, burying vines, tilling be hand. The decision was made for me, it is time to slow down. I will grow one AG this year, but I am sure it will only be a front porch pumpkin, hard to except that but I must. I am having a hard time with this, that's why I posted, wanted to know if I was alone. thanks for your response and hang in there.

Just Bill - can't remember the last time someone called me TOP, only a few would even know what that means. Thanks.

Phil - nice that you posted, you will never know what that means to me.

2/13/2019 11:22:16 AM