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Rhode Island

just look at all the huge pumpkins being grown today when compared to a few short years ago.
is it any wonder the quest for a 2,000 pounder is now in our sights?

a few years ago i did not think it possible to grow that big but the genetic gains and grower skills these past four years since the 1,500 pound barrier was broken has changed my thinking. who knows? possibly one of these seasons a pumpkin taping huge numbers will not need the benefit of going over the chart? but then again ya cant beat a thick pumpkin now can ya?

there is so much information available today and so many good clubs finding new and improved ways to grow that its no wonder we are seeing so much success,even by the fairly new growers.this is a hobby just about anyone can aspire to.

there was a time when you had to pry growing tips from the better growers. now, most offer willingly and with good intentions, to anyone who would ask.
my personal congrats to all who put seed to soil this past season.

together we have made a great hobby even better.
who knows where it will all end?
pap

10/11/2010 9:30:36 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Couldn't agree more. I see that there have been 26 going 1500+ and 54 pumpkins at 1400+ already this year.

10/11/2010 10:03:43 AM

Indiana

2000 target 2012

10/11/2010 10:04:10 AM

Indiana

I dont think its a matter if if, but when

Will it be a year early in 2011 or a year late in 2013?

10/11/2010 10:04:55 AM

Massillon, Ohio

I agree! When I started growing there was a thread on here called, "Is 1500 possible?" and I clearly remember saying "NO!"

The future will be interesting for sure!

10/11/2010 10:09:45 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Amen! I'm expecting 2k in 2013 unless something really astounding happens in 2012. Still. That's a LOT of 'kin.

Looking at the list for this year it's jaw dropping....

10/11/2010 10:33:42 AM

Northern Cambria, Pa.

In a PGPGA newsletter published in 2002, we ran an article which examined the yearly increase in weight of world record pumpkins. Going back to 1980, the yearly increase worked out to an average of 4.5% per year. Starting with 2002, the following predicted weights were then calculated based on this average increase. The predicted weights are followed by the actual weights of the record for the year:
Predicted weight Actual weight
2002=1318 1337
2003=1378 1385
2004=1440 1446
2005=1505 1469
2006=1572 1502
2007=1643 1689
2008=1717 1689
2009=1795 1725
2010=1875 1810
2011=1959
2012=2047
In the last few years the actuals have dropped a little below 4.5% but remain close to the curve. It's hard to tell where we are going but larger equipment may soon be needed at some weigh-offs.

10/11/2010 10:48:20 AM

Colorado

Well said Richard

10/11/2010 11:12:48 AM

Rhode Island

great information larry. i would love to be that grower in 2012 but then agaun, who would not?

folks lets not forget all the good friends we have made because of this hobby.some will be life long .

i can honestly say that besides family members? my best friends have come from relationships developed over the years of growing.

in many cases these relationship go far beyond a simple giant pumpkin. thats the thing that keeps us older growers going. not so much to win, but to be a part of it all.

pap

10/11/2010 11:13:25 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

well said....It certainly will be interesting to see where all of this goes. So many great growers out there with great ideas. I believe that the 2000 lbs. barrier will be broken and I believe it will be broken soon by a somewhat unknown grower that will take the hobby by storm.....

I love this hobby and Can't seem to stop with the pumpkin talk....although I have had plenty of setbacks and we as a hobby will all see some...we'll all strive to come up with newer methods and try and promote the hobby as much as possible...

10/11/2010 12:18:03 PM

[email protected]

Well said Pap
What I find incredible is the leader board changes every year, There are no repeats, anyone, anywhere(almost)(except Colorado) could pull off the world record. and that doesn't happen in any other sport/hobby

10/11/2010 12:26:48 PM

Enumclaw, Wa

You nailed it Pap. Chances out there for anyone. The top 50 Pumpkins so far this year on GPC came out of 30 + different females with a similarly (is that a word) large variation in the pollinators. Everyone has a shot. At four years and still trying I have had help and advice from many big time growers. Obviously listening and doing has room for improvement.

Thanks for your contribution to this new scientific addiction cause it's not a sport but a lifestyle.

10/11/2010 2:32:32 PM

So. Maine

All the time and work Howard Dill put forth into this hobby has payed off , and continues to year after year after year ...

10/11/2010 10:07:58 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

When the 1500 barrier was broken in 2006, I thought the top pumpkin weights were going to level off soon. I thought 2000 lbs. would occur way off in the future, if at all. After this season, I think 2000 lbs. is a possibility in the next 5 years. But then again, who knows? It's an exciting hobby for sure. A lot of good genetics out there to work with.

10/12/2010 1:07:38 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

WTNY, just made a very good point!!! Kudo's to Howard Dill!!!
PS...no doubt, 2K#'s!!! my guess...2013!!! Sounds lucky to me!!!
More important than 2K#'s, might be a recent quote by someone that has helped push this along as much or more than anyone!!!"folks lets not forget all the good friends we have made because of this hobby.some will be life long", yep that's pap!!! Peace, Wayne

10/12/2010 4:43:37 AM