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NE Arkansas

Marrows have very little grower support. When bushel gourd was added to the GPC list there were way more fruit grown. The GPC needs to add a warm season crop for the growers in warmer climates. Cantaloupe would be a good one. It could be done just like early tomato. I bet money there were more cantaloupes weighed this year than marrow. It's seems the GPC doesn't care about warm climate growers. I mean the southern growers cant get a warm weather fruit or big show. Maybe there needs to be another or better sanctioning body that actually cares about all growers. I emailed the GPC president multiple times and all I get is a "we'll consider it". So Wizzy when and where will it be considered? Is there gonna be a meeting? are there minutes available from this meeting? I mean don't just try to spin the southern growers when you aren't doing anything for us.

9/22/2019 1:23:06 PM

Grittyville, WA

Patience Jeremy. I think maybe they care about em but they might be slower than you would like... I tried both this year. Marrows are fun so I hope they will remain... although I expect a split soon or be dq'd for a spot of orange!

9/22/2019 4:36:34 PM

On a cliff in the desert

I had fun growing both. I learned things about both for next year. The big lesson from cantaloupe is start later so that the fruit won't be ripe by weigh off time. I am hoping my fruit doesn't ripen by the time the earliest weigh off I go to.

9/22/2019 4:49:07 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

There are many vegetables that could eventually be added. I am somewhat surprised bushel gourds came before marrows. Marrows are very popular in the UK. But the GPC list of vegetables is slowly increasing. You would like to see cantaloupe added, others might want to see cucumbers added, others might want rutabaga, or onions or carrots. You would like to see warm weather vegetables, i would like to see very small garden or even container possible grown vegetables.

Adding a category is not a simple thing. One issue I can think of is ribbon expense.

Yes, cantaloupes have gone up in popularity in the last 5 years. Being belligerent is probably not going to speed up the process. Jeremy, have you ever gone to a GPC convention? If you go, you can talk about club revenue and costs of operations.

9/22/2019 5:29:30 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

Jeremy, If you want to develop something new and independent...in my list of parked safe giant vegetable.coms I have GiantCantaloupe.com . If you would like to develop it, I certainly would make it available to you. Of course there are other website names you could use that are open available. The Giant Watermelon Group is definitely a success. It all depends on how important this is to you.

9/22/2019 6:59:57 PM

Zimmerman, Minnesota

I’m in Minnesota but I would totally be for cantaloupe being adopted into the GPC, I think it would help, for some weigh offs would start up earlier then the normal slots or an “early cantaloupe” is a great idea as the goal of the GPC is to expand the sport of giant growing.

9/22/2019 11:02:50 PM

Lexington, Ky

BG's had little grower support during the introductory season, we all see what happened last year. Once prize money becomes available....the growers will jump all over it.

Norther growers consistently dominate the Master Grower category.....the South doesn't stand a chance. Well, we have our watermelons lol!

9/23/2019 9:50:06 AM

Colorado

Cantaloupes are a exciting newer catagory. I think the GPC will support them.As mentioned logistics are the concern. They reming me of bushel gourds in that they already have a strong /loyal grower base and once backed I think the weights will really climb.

9/23/2019 12:19:12 PM

NE Arkansas

I feel like I'm getting a run around by someone who doesn't care. Yes I refuse to go to a GPC convention until the south gets a big show. Like said above the southern growers are limited on Master Gardener by the selection of cool climate fruit vs warm climate fruit.

Warm climate in current GPC
Watermelon
Bushel gourd
Long gourd

Cool climate in current GPC
Pumpkin
Squash
Tomato
Field pumpkin
Marrow

9/23/2019 4:17:21 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

Who is going to be the organizer in the south for the Big Show? When it was in the UK, I know that Ian spent incredible amount of time and his own money to see that the show was a success. Glenn and Margaret did much to see the Green Bay show succeed. Start a group down there, do some pre work and put the proposal to the GPC board. Don't be upset the big show is not there...unless you have made a serious effort to get the pieces put into place.

Is Oklahoma warm or cool climate. I am thinking warm. Gordon Graham from Edmond OK, held the tomato world record for 25 years. Edmond is a suburb of Oklahoma City straight west of you jeremy. It has only been for the past 5 years that the WR has been in the north.

Large garden space vegetables in GPC-everything that you listed except for tomato

I am not trying to dissuade you...i have had my moments of disagreement with the GPC. I have gotten over them. I think they listen better to positive forces than negative.

9/23/2019 5:01:11 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

ooops..long gourd probably should be in the small space category

9/23/2019 5:14:17 PM

Central NY

“ I think they listen better to positive forces than negative”....Most people do bob....

9/23/2019 6:31:47 PM

Dorset UK

Jeremy you obviously don't like Marrows lol. Why don't you start a poll off on another thread to prove your point,marrow vs cantelope to see which has most support? I don't know who's idea it was to add the marrow category but even if it wasnt a gpc category it wouldn't make any difference to me.
My only ambition is to bring that WR back to UK where it belongs. I don't

9/24/2019 8:55:55 AM

Dorset UK

need the motivation of prize money to grow I'm just after that title.
That being said thank you to the gpc for adding this category.

9/24/2019 9:02:27 AM

Lexington, Ky

The advantage isn't necessarily climate related inasmuch as it is geographic related although, the two work hand in hand. The ebbs and flows of the summer jet streams obviously have an effect on how far "south" the "zone" is but they consistently favor northern latitudes.

Based on the ass whooping that northern latitudes have on Long Gourds, I'd call that a "cool climate" category.

And while completely unrelated, please note the lack of Southern growers in the GPC Hall of Fame.

9/24/2019 12:23:48 PM

Lymington UK

Jeremy
Please believe me when I say the GPC seriously takes hotter climates into consideration.
Cantaloupe Melons were added as a special catagory a few years ago and it had a poor response.
We (as I was on the committee) perhaps could have done better advertising the new catagory but we did, I feel do our best.
It's very difficult to add new catagory's because we never know what response we would get.
I'm sure that marrows will become a huge hit but it's going to take time to get enough seeds into circulation.
We thought that having a GPC convention in Florid would give growers from the South of America an opportunity to join in with the learning experience and fun.
The turn out was terrible and financially a real problem for the GPC.
Please understand that all of the GPC board do it absolutely for free. When you join the GPC you get a baptism of fire in the first week.
The GPC is a massive team effort that involves everyone, so please be part of the team and help our growing sport move on.
Ian

9/24/2019 3:26:06 PM

Grittyville, WA

I would like to support the gpc by purchasing a dvd of GPC convention. Travel exhausts me to the point of not being able to absorb the information. I guess no one uses dvds anymore but with the global direction of the gpc the travel and convention expense issue will not go away.
I would love to see peppers and cantelopes but not sure that really levels the playing field. A grower in Alaska might grab the wr bell pepper or cantelope using a greenhouse. But vegetable politics aside-- anything that helps bring in new growers to your local area is what makes it fun.

9/24/2019 4:46:27 PM

Tenino, WA.

A lot of people want crops added that do not take a lot of space such as onions, beets, carrots, Kohlrabi. Do not get me wrong I love cantaloupes but there are other growers to consider as well.

9/25/2019 1:20:56 PM

Tenino, WA.

I just took a look at Arkansas records and Tomatoes are your leading vegetable crop. I copied this from Arkansas Department of Agriculture records. "More than 3 million pounds of tomatoes, the state's top vegetable crop, are produced annually." If this is a top crop should it be added to your list of warm weather vegetables?

9/25/2019 6:20:12 PM

Partlow,Va

I would not call tomato warm climate. Not for competition.

Long Gourd either. Fun to grow though.

We had 50+ days of over 90 here this year so far. It is hard to keep them moving and not getting ripe.

9/26/2019 9:01:52 AM

Ontario, Canada

Our tomatoes seemed to like the heat. Our 6 plants grew over 8' tall in our greenhouse. We grew 2 maters over 5# in our greenhouse this summer & it is over 90 degrees in there most days of the summer. Even on the sunny days in Sept, it has gotten over 90 in there. We still have 2 decent tomatoes in there to weigh. We'll see if they can break the 5# barrier too.
Good luck to all at the weigh offs.

9/27/2019 8:30:20 AM

NE Arkansas

Jane & Phil does it get to 100° there regularly with heat indexes in the 115°? I'd bet not. Fact is Wizzy gave me the run around and did nothing but try to spin me. I know about working on boards for free. I have no problem with that. I'd work for the GPC to do whatever but the GPC gives me a bad taste by how the president treats people. I've talked to numerous people at weigh offs and thru social media and lots feel the same. Difference is I will speak up. Not sure where you got that info from Jack but I promise you tomatoes for competition aren't easy here. I've used shade, fans, and just about everything else you could try. Maybe for crop production tomatoes are ok. I come from one of the biggest rice producing areas in the country. We grow commercial field pumpkins. Id bet money we plant later than anybody else in the country due to early rippening. I know warm climate and cool climate growing.

9/27/2019 4:11:24 PM

Grittyville, WA

I dont get why you dont grow in the winter. My 5.04 was on the vine getting artificial light and temps were dipping down to freezing. Dang thing was still growing. I think the gpc works as a commitee even though there is a president you are really dealing with a committee its hard to feel heard when things dont get done fast. Just understand its not a one man show. Its frustrating but you should keep your hopes up for the lopes...

9/27/2019 4:49:13 PM

Grittyville, WA

I will weigh mine tomorrow. There is no official category for it. It would be cool if there was but meanwhile how about getting lope stats compiled online? I mean getting lengthy here but Mr. Lindley consider this... If the gwg did lopes themselves they could be the main resource for lope growers and it would raise the importance of the gwg group. Its almost like shooting the gwg in the foot to hand lopes over to the gpc. I think a clear agreement from the gpc to decide on it by spring would be helpful and if the gpc is not interested and will promise to stay out of lopes...Then its a golden opportunity for the gwg? Maybe the gpc would let growers weigh at gpc events but the gwg would award the ribbons and compile the results. I dont see how anyone's toes would get hurt as long as that makes sense to everyone...

9/27/2019 5:14:38 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

jeremy, don't write off the south on tomatoes. The heat should lead to earlier to earlier flash, but growth during the DAP should be more. I know my winter grows that ran over 90 degrees did ok. From what I have read, the high humidity is actually a benefit. I won't have a chance to grow in the south, but I would not be afraid of it. I like Gordon Grahams idea of putting a plant out in Febuary, grow a massive plant and setting a tomato with the full strength of the plant to push it. The south has not had a dedicated tomato grower for many years. The north has had many. Weird wint in his first full year took the california record with a decent number. Cali counts as south. In this years team grow, I see some southern growers that are in their rookie season that have some really good numbers. As any of the GPC vegetables..someone that will concentrate their efforts on just one fruit is going to have success.

9/27/2019 7:46:59 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

California is not the South in terms of what Jeremy is talking about. With latitude, yes, but you won’t find anywhere in California that is like the Southeast.

9/27/2019 9:53:49 PM

Ontario, Canada

Just to answer your question Jeremy, yes our greenhouse gets over 100 in the summer. Our fan doesn't kick in till it hits 95 degrees. That's why we can't grow watermelons in there (too hot & high humidity), but our tomatoes love it. In fact we had our 1st giant in early Aug at 5.75#.

Anyway, I would like to see the GPC eventually be the Governing Body of all giant veggies & take on the rules, recording & awarding of ribbons/plaques for ALL the giants, but resources don't allow this to happen. They would need to increase revenue by 10x it's current rate & have at least 2-3 more volunteers to work on implementing them into the prize structure. A huge job. Maybe they could team up with Guinness Book of WR to help make sure the rules & regs are all the same as the GPC.

9/28/2019 8:58:20 AM

President - GPC

GPC Meeting this Sunday > We will not be adding any new GPC recognized fruit for the 2020 growing year. We will review again for the 2021 season when appropriate. We also decided that going forward only tomato will be eligible for early contest consideration.

Grow BIG

GPC Committee

9/30/2019 4:06:18 PM

Grittyville, WA

Thats an answer but not a helpful one... GWG should be allowed to invest effort into cantelopes now and not have their hard work and success stolen at a later date. Now cantelopes is dead... no one can benefit from working on them now.

9/30/2019 8:20:52 PM

Grittyville, WA

Jeremy I think its the civil war all over again.
Sorry man. Theres a way forward but its complicated. Email me if you want to hear my angle on it. Dont blow a fuse till we talk...

9/30/2019 8:32:02 PM

Tenino, WA.

The average yield per acre was about 1,500 boxes with a total of about 1.2 million boxes produced in Bradley, Drew and Ashley counties. Most of the southeast Arkansas crop left the area in a steady stream of refrigerated semi-trucks bound for markets in the Midwest and Northeast.https://www.farmprogress.com/arkansas-tomato-growers-log-one-best-years

10/1/2019 1:44:42 AM

Tenino, WA.

ƒ|Jeremy I cannot find the web page that I copied and pasted the 3 million pound of tomato production for Arkansas if I find it again I will send it to you.

"Tomato is considered a tender warm season crop but is actually a perennial plant, although it is cultivated as an annual. It is sensitive to frost and will not grow perpetually outdoors in most parts of the country. Most cultivated tomatoes require around 75 days from transplanting to first harvest and can be harvested for several weeks before production declines. Ideal temperatures for tomato growth are 70-85 degrees F during the day and 65-70 degrees F at night. Significantly higher or lower temperatures can have negative effects on fruit set and quality. The tomato is a self-pollinating plant and, outdoors, can be effectively pollinated by wind currents."
https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B1312&title=Commercial%20Tomato%20Production%20Handbook
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10/1/2019 2:10:27 AM

Tenino, WA.

Not sure where the fofrfo stuff at the bottom of my last post came from

10/1/2019 2:12:52 AM

Tenino, WA.

Jeremy is it possible to plant early where you live and try to beat the heat? Too much heat is not good. I had the opposite problem this year not warm enough. Lot of clouds highs were mostly in the 70's with 40's & 50's over night. My outside garden is finished. It has been beat to death strong winds and heavy rain. Last night we had frost 27 degrees. Right now it is 37 with another freeze warning for tomorrow morning. I still have some veggies under cover and was able to save them last night. Fall came early snow in the mountains. Spokane received snow and up to 4 feet of snow in parts of Montana.

10/1/2019 4:02:44 AM