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Location

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Bristol R.I. USA

Does anyone think there are growers out there that have certain secrets that they don't sharr with the general growing community.

12/23/2010 5:57:32 PM

canal winchester ohio

Here's my secret ( and I shouldn't be telling you but...)
I have a stripper pole on each corner of my patch & during the afternoon I let the local "talent" practice their routines. It doesn't do squat for the pumpkins but it makes doing work in the garden much more pleasant.
............
My wife at lunch " Honey what are you doing this afternoon ?"
Me " I got some vine burying to do babe"
:)

12/23/2010 6:06:26 PM

Frankfort Ohio

Paul i will be over to help with the patch can we start now

12/23/2010 6:21:12 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

Huff......thanks for the advice brother....however I dont think the family would approve of me having that in the yard...the statue of St. Michael is my secret. He protects the patch from the critters that want to make my plants their personal buffett...lol, MErry CHristma to you and your patch..

12/23/2010 6:29:27 PM

canal winchester ohio

Now Kenny think outside of the box Hoss. Tell everyone they are "windbreak" posts that are preset so at the first sign of trouble you can "raise the sail"so to speak.
And Jamie your on the list. you would be surprised at how much volunteer help I get....LOL

12/23/2010 6:44:10 PM

Rhode Island

kenny there is so much information available today that i do not teally believe there are any SECRETS.

yes there may be a additive or a new product that one might try and have success with in a particular year? but soon that info gets passed around anyways via newsletters, grower profiles and supply stores that advertize here on bp.

there will always be some growers who feel no need to share but for the most part? 95 percent of the really good, and even the not so good growers, are not afraid to help a new grower or pass along info to others.

thats why the hobby has blown wide open these past ten years.

pap

12/23/2010 7:21:20 PM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

There is secrets! In this hobby a secret is what you call well known information that some people just don't practice! Like secret number one: Pumpkins require alot of time and pampering! If you plant the seed and walk away momma always said stupid is what stupid does....lol

12/23/2010 8:34:24 PM

milford, CT,

Kenny..The most overlooked secret is...Keep your plant healthy..If you have disease issues come August the chances of a big one are gone no matter what you do..With all the great crosses out there getting seeds with potential shouldn't be the problem. Alex is right ..they require daily routines weeding, watering, spraying, etc.. and most importantly..inspection for potential problems. Once a problem has developed it's usually too late.

12/23/2010 9:08:56 PM

Littlerock, WA

I've got a secret patch ammendment....

12/24/2010 12:07:03 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

How much more additives are there that can really be added to soil thats already jacked? Im still useing the worm farm and trying to get more for the season.

12/24/2010 12:20:24 AM

Ohio

Kenny, read this thread I posted below,,,,

My take on secrets,,even though some growers say they keep no secrets,, well, I do believe that somewhat from certain growers,,,but for the most part, I think some have their little things they do that they keep to themselves..

Ain't that right Chris?,,,LOL!!

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=331821

12/24/2010 12:36:41 PM

East Jordan, MI

I'm new to this hobby, but here are my 2 cents. I love and have always loved to grow things. I believe the 2 biggest "secrets" are good soil and keep the plant healthy. I have never felt that anyone in the pumpkin growing community that I have asked a question has held anything back. I have been asked by more than one grower what secret Dr. Liggett told me that allowed me to grow one to 1180 lbs my first year. He didn't tell me anything that haven't read a dozen different places or been told by as many as 10 other people. People may not believe me, but the only things I asked from Dr. Liggett was an opinion on how I was doing for a couple of problems I was having (to confirm what I thought was the right thing that needed to be done). His answer was always sounds/looks like you are doing the right thing, keep up the good work. I spent 2-3 hours a night in the patch weeding, feeding, trimming, burying, watering, spraying/looking for bugs, disease, and overall trying to read the plant, document what I saw and then at least 2 hours a night on the internet doing research and asking questions on what to do about those observations. I tried to take in all of the information and decide what I thought was best. I got a lot of good feedback on here in chat, message boards and even by email on several things. One thing that I am considering doing is getting plant analysis tests done throughout the year. I think this might be the best way to determine what the plant needs. I have a great aunt that can tell by looking at the plant. I'm sure others can too, but me I feel like I'm guessing sometimes and a lab test will take the guessing out of it.

12/24/2010 1:59:57 PM

East Jordan, MI

BTW, that is a great thread Brooks, thanks!

12/24/2010 2:02:28 PM

Johnston, R.I.

Brooks..............can't be.......

12/24/2010 4:20:09 PM

Deer Park, WI

I agree with Alex. There exists a wealth of opportunity that simply may not be taken advantage of by the masses. Some perceive these secrets, some perceive this as stepping outside of the box, some perceive as applying standard logic.

I read Brooks' post from last Jan. and agree with most of the comments from those whom have grown largish fruit. And having grown along side Stevens this summer, I was exposed to proof there that there is NO magic formula that some elite are privy too that the rest of *us* do not have access to.

I will say that there are practices and strategies some employ, using tools and resources available and affordable to everyone, that can provide significant competitive edge. Im inclined to believe that some of these practices contributed to the successes realized by a group of us up here in the upper midwest.

Similar to some of the vine pruning/training strategies of the past, these tactics need to be repeated over and over again before the become part of standard growing practice.

In this sense, i wouldnt consider these secrets. Rather, they are intuitive adjustments on an already established technique or practice that may or may not provide an advantage.

12/26/2010 11:57:10 AM

Deer Park, WI

oh, and some fair warning...no matter how much "barley truth serum" is forced upon us in Niagara, there will be no major epiphanies or secrets revealed.

12/26/2010 12:01:07 PM