From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Appleton

Just thought I would report the death of my beloved 300 lb whatever kind she was. Thanks to all who gave me some hope and even to my foes....I know that I was a bit whatever here and there...but I really meant know harm. Just thought I could meet some friends. John Hoepfner

Do hope the angels take good care of her.

PS You can have all the Critter rider you want - bet I spent $50 on the stuff...but mice got the best of me..and of course HER!!! Do not think I will be growing anymore Big Pumpkins in my last few years...just Jack-0-lanterns and Cinderella and sugar. Oh no Mice and rabbits love SUGAR.

8/19/2019 6:50:22 PM

Central NY

Better to have loved and lost fluffy...better to have loved and lost...now put the top down on the fiat and take mrs fluffy to the weigh-off ...make some friends...sorry to hear

8/19/2019 6:54:27 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

I was probably the worst of the posts. I apologize for the second time. After I posted though, I had three growers email me...and they thought you should go and see the big pumpkins but they were not right for you to grow. I used the phrase "right attitude", that was taken wrong. Better might have been "right spirit". The really big pumpkins...the growers spend hundreds of hours per year..just trying to gain knowledge. They spend incredible amounts of $'s trying to grow bigger. Each growing season, is one problem after another to find a solution to.

You have been watching this for at least five years. I am not sure how much you learned..what was the OTT of your big one? I am not trying to be mean...but I think it is the right decision. Grow what you can find enjoyment in. I have the feeling you never would have the intensity to suffer the pain of the giants.

Spend your life growing what is fun. I might try growing something else soon.

8/19/2019 8:09:50 PM

On a cliff in the desert

I understand your situation. Last year I had a personal best growing in my patch. I lost 2 good sized pumpkins to Blossom End Split about a month before the Stillwater weigh off and ended up taking a 38 pound pumpkin to the weigh off just to bring something there so I could have something to show for my season. This year I am holding my breath with the 3 pumpkins I have set now.

8/19/2019 8:41:09 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

Wile...I would like seeds from either your 1875 selfed or a cross between the 1878 and 1875.. if either possible. I know you have leg issues Greg, have you made any plans for how to get your pumpkin(s) to a weighoff?

8/19/2019 8:47:44 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

sorry for hijacking the thread....

8/19/2019 9:08:38 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Hoepfner, I say F it, and if you are older like you imply and still want to grow a large pumpkin, DO it. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do. Ever. Just listen to their advice and help when they try to assist you the first time or stop asking. Good luck with everything.

8/19/2019 10:29:20 PM

central Nc

Fluffy get you some bushel gourd seeds this winter. You can get a couple hundred pounds with 1/5 the time investment of pumpkins.

8/20/2019 6:59:34 AM

Appleton

Hey Mohawk: Yes I know all about that Luv and lost stuff. However, please get rid of the Fluffy Stuff, thanks. But I do not think I will be taking HER anyplace.

Oak Grove: Appreciated your apologies...but I do have the spirit..also, for the record, the KIN that Margaret and Glenn took to Kenosha won 6th Place-$100.00..I am just trying to better that and make some friends along the Way...anyway, talk all about how rough a job it is to grow a big KIN just read Susan Warren book "Backyard Giants." Wish I could meet her...anyway, she talks all about what growers over the past have gone through: No suicides but wiped out bank accounts, divorces and ruined vacations make up part of the continued list of anxieties.

Coyote: Thanks. makes my past 161 lb kin look great...

Smallmouth (Team Ozark: I know all about "F" It...I try to stay away from such talk...all-though it really makes one feel great to say it? And i do not imply old age...I am 78 now...I know that is young for some guys..but for some odd reason I have had to go to "ER" room 2 - 2 many times..bummer indeed. I just am not my old self...And I will try again with Growing the Big KIN...and i do listen...and thanks for the Good Luck!

Wolfpack83 I will put the Bushel Gourd Seeds on my List for next year.

Thanks again for all the Apologies and good advice...John

8/20/2019 3:32:30 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

good post John...I might have been wrong about the spirit factor. I went thru the D (did giant growing contribute?) but i also have two important d's remaining...daughter and dog.

When I reach your age John...I think that I might only be growing tomatoes. Right now...giant pumpkins are already starting to to be overwhelming for me and I am 20 years younger than you. Tomatoes are the GPC's smallest vegetable.

Should you desire to try the ugly tomatoes...they are actually somwhat beautiful in an odd way, send me an email. I can get seeds to you.

Wile thanks for the email. I think your plan for loading will work...unless, you get a really nice September. You might have to make a contingency plan if they should get much bigger than you expect...

8/20/2019 5:19:44 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

ps...John....your 6th place at Kenosha was 171 not 161. Don't make it easier for Wile. You are ahead of him by a little right now...1st weighoff...38 pounds vs 89 pounds. 2nd weighoff...171-yet to be determined.

Don't take this the wrong way Greg...you have been good friend and the only grower that has ever been at my new house. How did that happen?

8/20/2019 5:51:22 PM

Appleton

bnot: Oak Grove, Mn: Sorry about the math. never was good at it...But somehow or other I passed Algebra and trig..Surveyors..had to have those skills. When will 171 be determined? John

8/20/2019 7:33:51 PM

Heavy cukes ,long cukes , onions , carrots ,long runner beans, giant rutabaga , giant cabbage , heavy peppers , long peppers, celery sunflowers, dinnerplate dahlias etc.
I know watching a 14 lb. cuke grow is a hoot and that's not even a big one

8/20/2019 7:59:51 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

I was good at algebra and trig...something that a machinist needs to know. College calculus 1 wasnt too bad...i could understand limits and differentials...Calc 2 sucked....memorizing formula's was way too boring.

I am not sure which weighoff, Wile is aiming for. I can not speak for him..but this is his second year. He has 3 pollinations set in August. His loading plan is good unless September weather is nice...we have been under monsoons most of the year. Weather evens out. I think his plan is workable, up to about 250 pounds. I think he will go higher. I have transport capability...so does he. As friends..we don't match in loading assets. I am lacking lifting capability so does he. For a 2 weighoff average...it would take 222 pounds for him to equal your weight of two weighoffs. In his favor..he is doing it in less years. I also talked today with my coworker...he restarted his plants in June...has a very recent set. I have nothing..but I will be curious how one friend does against another....in both weight and beauty.

I am not sure if you know how to send an email to another grower on BP. The trick is...go to that growers diary. The top line there is little flag next to the growers nick. Click on that, and you can send them an email.

8/20/2019 8:13:33 PM

On a cliff in the desert

I mention my experience on this post and now it has turned into a competition between John and I instead of celebrating Fluffy. It makes me want to throw the competition so that John can go out a winner with Fluffy. I don't want to make John feel bad losing with Fluffy.

8/21/2019 12:18:51 AM

Oak Grove, Mn

sorry, wile....i just need to quit typing here....

8/21/2019 5:58:55 AM

Appleton

To bnot: Hey Oak Grove: Thanks. I never ever got to Calculus and what the heck is a differential? Anyway, good for you..you sound like a bright person. I am going to try to e-mail wile coyote...however, this may sound stupid...however, that is probably why I never got to Calc. But I do not under stand where is competition between coyote and ME John or fluffy. John...

8/21/2019 10:13:39 AM

Appleton

Hey oak Grove: I talked to Greg and I guess he said that there was no contest between him nor I...however, plain and simple...I still do not get it...what I do not understand is his 39 lbs vs 89 lbs 2nd weigh-off and then I guess mine at 171 -yet to be determined....whats with the determined business and the 89 business.....sorry I am slow....also whats with the "fluffy" business? Sorry about all this...but it is just all over my head. And actually, i do not get any of it...???

8/21/2019 2:39:58 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

Sorry, to both of you if I offended you. That was not my intention. I posted not because I wished to create animosity, but that is the way my brain thinks.
I will try to explain it:
After Wile made his first post, that he understands your situation. He then mentioned his first weighoff..and that he is concerned about the remaining pumpkins. My brain with limited knowledge, subconsciously thinks...how close in situation is it.

I did make some mistakes in the weights... John on tool.pumpkinatic.com your weights are listed under two names... John Hoephner and John Hoepfner. When I looked the first time...I used the spelling that was used for Kenosha 2017 that I got from weighoff results on BP. I thought 89 pounds was your official first weight from 2014. Now that I realize that you have pumpkins under two names listed...I will correct

Your first weighoff- 71 pounds listed under John Hoepfner weighed Mishicot 2012

Your second weighoff- 89 pounds listed under John Hoephner weighed at Cedarburg 2014

Your third weighoff-171 pounds listed under John Hoephner weighed at Kenosha 2017

Wile's first weighoff 38 pounds, Stillwater 2018
Wile's second weighoff- has not happened yet, hence the yet to be determined.

Like I said before, my intention was never meant to cause animosity or belittle someone. Can friendly competitions not longer happen.

I am going to go take a vacation...I need it.

8/21/2019 7:12:15 PM

On a cliff in the desert

Friendly competition can happen as long as both parties know beforehand it is a competition. Glenomkins and I have one going now but we agreed to it before the growing season started. Bnot, we've kind of had friendly competition where I said once that it would be more fun beating you at growing giant tomatoes than growing giant pumpkins. We both kid each other about it. Maybe the tomato gods will frown on your posts here and help me beat you this year. :-)

8/21/2019 8:11:58 PM

Appleton

Hey BNOT: No problem... You all had me...after my
catastrophic problem right out of the shoot, kinda, I was hoping that maybe I could win something one way or another... it would really be cool if wille coyote could come in at 170! man o man I could go to the Oneida Casino(smile) Hey indeed take a break i.e., vacation... Hey 2nd thought if that were to be true you could come along to the casino...or how about some Fly Fishing in Montana...PS Yes, I only have One Name....John Hoepfner I live in Appleton, WIC. you have my e-mail...

8/21/2019 8:15:26 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

John, I have heard of Mille Lacs casino , and Hinckley, and a few others in my area...where the heck is Oneida. I miss my bi-weekly chance at Vegas.

Wile, I am worried about your porterhouse. My MegamuttD's let me down this year. Their dap to flash is too short...not very good unless they have more than 4 inches of utilizable soil. It is sad to say...my best hope for this year is on a single/double+(i don't know what it is) Delbrut tomato.

I am not going to aim for any GPC weight this year...unless my late MegamuttD set tells me....you have to go to a weighoff.

Vacation...I would love to take one...but I still have one month more to deal with my ex.

8/21/2019 9:32:58 PM

Appleton

Hey bnot- what is your name? Oneida is an Indian Nation North of Appleton, WI which is east of Green bay - home of the Packers Football home...Anyway, many years ago the Indians dram-ed up a way to make big buck's...Can we say CASINO! The rest is history...Bummer about your aim for any GPC weight this year and I do not know anything about your MegamuttD....me going to a weigh-off is up in the air...I have one possibility if she does not abort on me or any other casualty claims here life...Vacation? I do not want to touch anything that has got to do with any "EX" Again thanks for writing...hopefully will talk again..John

8/22/2019 10:13:23 AM

Oak Grove, Mn

The other growers here call me Bob. Yes, we should give the other growers some peace and quiet so they can talk about growing. Later today, I will send you an email.

8/22/2019 10:47:35 AM

Appleton

Bob: Hey thanks sounds good. John

8/22/2019 2:46:00 PM

Appleton

Mn
    

good post John...I might have been wrong about the spirit factor. I went thru the D (did giant growing contribute?) but i also have two important d's remaining...daughter and dog.

When I reach your age John...I think that I might only be growing tomatoes. Right now...giant pumpkins are already starting to to be overwhelming for me and I am 20 years younger than you. Tomatoes are the GPC's smallest vegetable.

Should you desire to try the ugly tomatoes...they are actually somwhat beautiful in an odd way, send me an email. I can get seeds to you.

Wile thanks for the email. I think your plan for loading will work...unless, you get a really nice September. You might have to make a contingency plan if they should get much bigger than you expect...

Hey Bob...Sorry I completely missed this post of yours to me... I am sorry about the "Divorce" but happy about the daughter and dog... I am writing another part of the letter I started yesterday..The giant pumpkin thing really has had a effect on pumpkin growers - I know my wife Ms Laura always tells at me with the saying: It's all about you - Hoepfner....Bummer indeed. However, this year I am also growing some small eating pumpkins for her and maybe a Jack-0-lantern too. And actually I like the little ones..they are neat...and next year I am going to try what they call Cinderella. Hey and I like you tomatoes..yes, you could end me some seeds next winter. By the way, I can grow tomatoes. And then I will not continue my last letter because this note should suffice.. But all you have is SAND? How about some community gardens? I rent a couple small plots near a church where I live and it really works out well. John

8/25/2019 11:11:14 AM