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Rhode Island

i have asked many times why only a couple so called heavy hitters do not post or get involved with the people on big pumpkins message board.
they have the most info to share and growers could learn the most from them in return. which i believe was the goal when this site was created.
interestingly enough the answer i get the most from a lot of great growers who could contribute so much ? especially to the new/newer growers?
the feeling is that there is to much snipping and back biting that goes on.they dont take a lot of you seriously i guess?
one comment i have heard on more than one occasion is that one grower will post something and others will just fire away in a negative manner.
there is only one person i can say ever gets under my skin as of late but i have promised myself that i will no longer address his posts.
lets get this site back to pumpkin information and sharing. leave the personalities and bad commentary out.
dont think for one minute that just about every top grower does not read the bp posts. they do.they just dont get involved.
quite possibly if we become more of a informational friendly site and less of a critical one, some of these people who could help the most may start posting.
this site is one of the best things that ever happened to the giant veg growing community. lets not run it into the ground.
thanks for hearing me out
pap

3/3/2009 6:06:24 AM

Linden,PA

Pap, I agree. I am relatively new to this site, about 8 months. The is a lot of good information to be found.
But lately there is quite a bit of nothing. I think most growers have cabin fever! Once everyone can get out to work their patch, things will get more interesting. Mark

3/3/2009 6:34:32 AM

Upstate S.C.

Pap, I could not agree with you more, there are folks that come on here with a different agenda than growing a giant pumpkin...I mean there are some very smart people with great information to add on here, however it's a small few that screw it up for the rest...I went back a couple of days ago and researched this site, I looked at alot of negative comments all the way back to 04, and most of the SAME ONE's that posted rude stuff back then are still the one's doing it now...

3/3/2009 7:41:28 AM

Burton, Ohio

Good post, pap. I've only been on this site a year and from the posts, personalities come into focus. I've formed opinions about most posters just from the tone of their posts. Most good but some who seem to resent certain posters or ideas. It's true, if an idea is off center from the norm, watch out. Mark is right, we need to get into the patch.

3/3/2009 7:52:52 AM

[email protected]

Great posting Pap, I would love to hear from other heavy hitter growers, and it would be great to see some of them posting on a more regular basis. The knowledge is they can provide, is invaluble to the patch and growers could learn a thing or two instead of biting their heads off. Try learning something, and better yet something about pumpkin growing in the off season. This seems to happen every year, and has gotten worse this season. It needs to stop. Thanks Pap.

3/3/2009 8:22:20 AM

Sophia WV

Good post PAP All I can Say is I come to the site to learn all I can about growing pumpkins bigger each year.Last year I had 2 over 1000 lbs and I attribute that to talking to the guys and gals on here.Have had good advice from you Ron Quinn and the list goes on and on.I hope to reach 1300 platuea this year.Some posts get really bad we should be here to help each other and not be offensive to others.Turn the other cheeck so to speak.Good luck everyone in 09!!! Robert

3/3/2009 9:01:47 AM

Dresden, Ohio

Well put Pap! This will be my third year, and I have asked many growers, including yourself and Ron, a ton of questions up to this point. I am sure the majority of my questions seem simple to more experienced growers, but every question has been answered. I want to thank all of the growers again who have been so selfless with their knowledge and generousity over the past few years.
-Jeremy

3/3/2009 9:19:22 AM

southwest MO

You are right pap. There is too much clutter and meaningless jabber on this site these days. It's become worse than just the typical groupies and cheer leaders.
I visit far less than I did a few years ago. I'll find myself with hundreds of new postings after being gone for 3 or 4 days and going through them in less than 10 minutes.
If there is something I am after like a picture or pedigree info I just search and tune out the noise. BP is still a great resource but I find myself becoming more of a recluse like so many of the other folks.

3/3/2009 9:26:20 AM

ExtremeVegetables.com

They don't HAVE to get involved in the message board post to be helpful.
I'd be happy if they would just keep a detailed diary. If they were to do that, most all of my questions would be answered.
If your considered a "heavy hitter" and are reading this, Please, keep a diary this season. You won't have to deal with the ignorant posters and you will still be extremely helpful to those of us who do not participate in those type of activities here.

3/3/2009 9:45:31 AM

[email protected]

Well said there PAP, all for the greater good.

3/3/2009 10:00:08 AM

Well said pap!!!!!!!!!!!

Martin

3/3/2009 10:56:57 AM

bliss,n.y.- heart of Wyoming County

Pap-
Listening and learning.. a lot better than stop, drop and roll... grin

3/3/2009 11:05:45 AM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

Dang Pap, I read the title of this thread and thought "Oh Goody, Pap's starting a BP Poster contest!" and me without photoshop skills. .dang.. .

3/3/2009 11:09:08 AM

maine USA

I think the best way to get rid of the obnoxious posters is simply not to respond to them. No matter how obnoxious they are, or how tempted you are to let him or her know how offended you are by their posts, ignore them. By responding to them we are giving them the attention they crave. If we ignore them they will go to greener pasture to find someone else to offend. Please boycott their posts! Great post as usual Paps. Kathy

3/3/2009 12:22:07 PM

Topsfield,ma.

My mother always said, If you can't say something nice about someone say nothing at all. I didn't know at the time how wise she was.

3/3/2009 6:21:47 PM

Connecticut, USA

Pap, you are exactly right. Everybody should think before they respond with a negative or accusatory tone. Message board posts can be around for a very long time. I don't think anybody wants to be known as that guy or gal with the bad attitude. Some have even suggested moderators. If it comes to that I will need help. I cannot watch all the boards everyday to keep the negative junk out.

3/3/2009 7:39:39 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

I agree with the opinions expressed above. BP.com is a great site to learn and interact with other growers, but I doubt that most heavy hitters would post any more than they already do even if the subjects were limited to pumpkin growing only. After all, this IS a competitive hobby. I have figured out the past few years that most heavy hitters hold something back to gain that competitive edge and will NEVER tell all.

If anyone ever gets bashed on here, it's usually on the non-pumpkin growing message board and I would hate to see that board disappear. It helps me to understand more about growers than just their prowess at growing. If one doesn't care for the opinions of others, then don't read them.

3/3/2009 9:06:23 PM

Murfreesboro, TN, USA

I don't know if you can remove personality from your writing, but I know we can treat each other as we would want to be treated. For me it is simple, I try to keep an open mind because this is the way I learn. I want input from everyone because what works for one may not work for another and a combination of both may just be the answer to my questions. I will never know everything there is about anything, but I am willing to share my experiences whether different from the norm. This is where colaboration begins for all of us on BP.com

As for HH's, I have a very hard time knowing who they are anyway. The BP handles keep there true identities hidden and out of reach. Or I am just not observant and don't reallize who is who.

I would love to see more people colaborate and share their expierences so we all can learn. I enjoyed when Pap was sharing some of tricks for newbies. This was a great bunch of postings. We were able to throw out question after question and get answers. I really enjoyed those threads and would love to see more of that as time goes on.

3/4/2009 1:53:12 PM

Sparta, NC

I agree 100%. There have been alot of changes over the years here on BP some good and some bad. I don't read that many posts anymore because there is too much BS involved. There also seems to be alot of bashing in chat now too, sure not like it use to be. We should remember the Golden Rule.

3/4/2009 10:32:10 PM

Colorado

well said paps-if you cant have fun growing pumpkins...................

3/5/2009 1:12:22 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Sambo, well said!! With the growth of this community, has come the growth of foolishness...including myself from time to time (have made foolish posts)!! Thanks to pap, Ken and yerself for reminding us all what this site is for!! Be nice, don't hit, and GROW EM BIG!!! Peace, Wayne

3/6/2009 12:42:41 AM

Rhode Island

hey, we all need a kick in the teeth now and then. its so easy to type in the words without first realizing that once in print ya cant take it back.
even if you realize after that what you said was hurtfull and wrong. myself included
pap

3/6/2009 8:49:19 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

thanks, pap Peace, Wayne

3/6/2009 5:35:51 PM