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Bemidji Minnesota

Best looking pumpkin of 2009?

Just got back from seeing the Apple Jacks Orchard pumpkin contest yesterday. I met Bill Foss, Travis Gienger, Chris Stevens, Alex Bogie, Doug Anderson and several others. I hope I’m getting every ones names right. Everyone one there was a real class act. Seems like most pumpkin growers are good people.

This was my first time ever bringing one to a show. I brought mine because even though it was small, I figured it was good looking enough to put on display, given that I only grow one plant in a tiny patch, it was a small miracle I actually got one to survive to ripen.

At the even were some very good looking pumpkins, and two really stood out. One was brought by Chris Stevens at 1046.5 off a 772 Pioreir, as well Travis Gienger’s 1028.

Id say they were both close in color, but the 1028 a little better shape. Tall, round, and overall shaped like a classic Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin, just scaled up to being over 1000 pounds. And with better orange than any Jack-O-Lantern pumpkin.

He grew it off a 1110 Wallace and Pollinated it with the 1347 Wallace. Which is the reverse cross. Talk about genetics! It has two crosses to the 1068 Wallace and 1370 Rose. That is a magnificent cross, at least IMHO.

I have never seen a prettier pumpkin either. So naturally I had to take some pictures. The shape of the pumpkin was excellent, and the color was the most perfect Orange I have ever seen. According to Travis, he kept it covered near the end of the growing season, because he wanted it to stay orange and not turn red.

Anyhow, unless someone shows up with one that looks just like Travis’s at 1500+, then I think Travis should get the best looking award (the everywhere Dill Award) for all of 2009.

9/28/2009 10:30:02 PM

Bemidji Minnesota

Here are some pictures of the magnificent specimen 1028 Gienger 2009.



http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/5186/1028gienger2009reduced.jpg

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/6154/1028gienger20092reduced.jpg

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/4040/1028gienger200911reduce.jpg

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/9214/1028gienger200910reduce.jpg

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/3489/1028gienger20099reduced.jpg

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/5288/1028gienger20098reduced.jpg

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/4357/1028gienger20097reduced.jpg

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/1122/1028gienger20095reduced.jpg

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/4616/1028gienger20094reduced.jpg

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/4919/1028gienger20093reduced.jpg

9/28/2009 10:30:14 PM

Sequim, WA

That thing gave me a bad case of pumpkin envy. Color symmetry, size, that beauty has it all. I wish it grew in my patch.

9/28/2009 10:40:40 PM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

Indeed a big congrats to Trav on his pumpkin! There were some hot chicks posing for the camera on that pumpkin in naughty ways! Jensen can attest to that! By far one of the best colored pumpkins I've seen with my laser corrected vision. I heard someone say that if you ran your hand on the rib it felt like glass. I couldn't agree more!

9/28/2009 11:08:45 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

I saw them both in person, and agree they were both beauties with great color! For overall color and shape I think the 1028 Gienger 09 is hard to beat. The 1046.5 Stevens caught my eye from 50 yards away as he drove up. I actually won the best looking pumpkin at the contest with my 1019.5 Wallace 09 DMG, but I'm thinking there was either a mistake made(maybe with the number picked), or the judge has a different opinion of what a good looking pumpkin is, compared to most people(no offense if the judge/s see this...I hope this isn't taken wrong...I'm grateful for the award...just my opinion).
My pumpkin was a nice orange, with decent shape, but IMO I'd pick the 1028 Geinger or the 1046.5 Stevens over mine.
It was nice meeting(or seeing again) all the growers. Thanks Bill for putting on a nice contest!

9/28/2009 11:20:46 PM

Mpls

Doug you had an amazing fruit, wow color and heavy too! It was great meeting you and you are a real class act

Bogie, please email me the pictures of the hott chicks! :)

9/28/2009 11:49:21 PM

[email protected]

Take a look at the 683 Garrell. It was our Howard Dill Award winner. 801.5 Stelts x 278 Garrell '03 (801.5 Stelts x self). If Dave caught all the planets & moons right then the 683 should grow a nice orange pumpkin.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikelombardiphotos/3960204314/in/set-72157622342753551/

This link plus following two images.

9/29/2009 12:18:55 AM

Long Island,New York

In my best Rob Barker impression I have to ask Doug14..."wow- color and heavy too !"......what seed Doug?

9/29/2009 5:59:43 AM

Bemidji Minnesota

Opps, looks like I did butcher a name. Sorry Doug. I got mixed up with someone else, and I thought "Wallace" was that you planted one of the Wallace (as in Ron and Dick) seeds. Now I realize that was "your" last name as well.

Yours was also a nice looking pumpkin. I think maybe the award was given to you because Travis had already won the award at another contest just a couple days beforehand.

Not sure if Chris is taking his anywhere else, he could get an award too.

9/29/2009 9:20:58 AM

Mpls

Doug's was a 364.1 andrews. I really like the 683 Garrell, shape and color, hope you get some more pictures it looks perfect! I forgot to mention thanks for taking the pictures Mike, apparently my 1mp cell phone doesnt do it justice but it was great meeting you and everyone at the weigh off!

9/29/2009 9:23:08 AM

Wi

I'd agree I'm not sure there has been many grown to beat the shape / color / size combination of Travis's fruit.

The skin on my 772 was equal in color / waxy appearance, but was not as consistent in color or as nice of shape.

I do hope to keep that 772 line going though and did self pollinate.

9/29/2009 9:59:06 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

Glenn,
It was none other than the 364.1 Andrews 06(603.5 Muller X 670 Daigle), as Travis stated. I'll try and get pics up fairly soon. I was happy it broke 1K and had nice color. Thanks again for the seed. I had fun watching it grow. It was DMG because of a split on the bottom.

9/29/2009 4:55:32 PM

Milmine, IL

Best looking "pumpkin" :

http://members.fortunecity.com/superinvisibleman/images/pics/ca89.jpg

10/1/2009 1:44:36 PM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

!?!?!??!?!?!?

10/1/2009 6:51:24 PM

Milmine, IL

I guess you've never seen "Married with Children".

10/1/2009 7:13:45 PM

Sequim, WA

Mike, that ones too old, he's talking about 2009 pumpkins, not 2002. LOL

10/1/2009 11:12:28 PM

ordinary,VA

my vote Matthew & Bobby Morris 1057 !! grew form Sam Lovelace 1178

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=121233

10/2/2009 6:02:15 PM

Coventry R.I.

lol,,,,,,,,, aggc

10/26/2009 7:01:21 PM

Coventry R.I.

Meathead,,, could you e/mail [email protected]

10/26/2009 7:04:11 PM