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Location

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Date Posted

Gays Mills, Wisconsin

Ammendment Proposal:
Pumpkins/Squash with a 3" or greater deep hole from surface shall be ruled damaged. Naturally occurring splits that heal over are exempt from the 3" rule.
Discussion:
Stem splits, surface cracks could be allowed. Accidents, chewing, rot or other that result in a 3" or greater hole are damaged. Should be easy to discern IMHO, and still uphold the integrity of the GPC's current rules.

10/8/2015 7:19:54 AM

Gays Mills, Wisconsin

So if you dig out any rot spots use a 2.9" spoon :)

10/8/2015 7:21:20 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

So I have a huge divot caused by hail damage, wood chuck attack, moose, deer or opossum attack. The Pumpkin grows to its full potential, It is classified DMG. I disagree with this. I have been told my entire growing years, it is a weight contest not beauty. If the rot does not go through to the cavity it is a sound pumpkin.

10/8/2015 7:49:31 AM

Central Illinois

could have a simple uniform probe that bends somewhat easy and all sites would have them, if the probe can be pushed into the cavity then its dmg

If its firm enough to bend the probe its good to go

10/8/2015 8:28:41 AM

Central Illinois

force gauge under $20
http://www.amazon.com/Extech-Instruments-475044-SD-Capacity-Datalogger/dp/B00JFZAR1I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444308816&sr=8-1&keywords=force+gauge

10/8/2015 8:55:15 AM

Central Minnesota

The going into the cavity standard is really easy to measure and is easy to enforce.

The surface spot as you mention John has to be one way or the other. There can't be an in between. The issue with your amendment proposal is that by day 20 you may have a pumpkin that will end up DMG in the end, even if you grow it out to 100 days. That doesn't seem right. You can grow a pumpkin 100 days and it has been DMG for 80 days. No matter what, the rules need to be changed and clarified.

10/8/2015 9:28:46 AM

Wixom MI.

I dont think you can exempt a healed 3" crack and dmg a healed 3" soft spot ? Damage is damage and healed is healed !!! You cant judge on personal feelings.i think you need a clear cut rule that everyone understands with no grey areas. If it Breaches the cavity it is dmg plain and simple !

10/8/2015 9:35:25 AM

Tinykinville

going into cavity really easy standard to keep and should be all that matters. The rest of the rules are just for show

10/8/2015 10:01:28 AM

Wasn't the original purpose when checking pumpkins that no one would cheat by adding weight to the fruit? We all just want to grow and have at least a change to get a fruit to the weigh off, the only reward after the long and hard growing season. Therefore I honestly don't understand all these confusing rules. Only disqualification cause should be a hole into the cavity, rest really don't matter at all.

10/8/2015 6:12:34 PM

Muddy Waters

I think the new rule needs to adjust its panties.they seem to be all bunched up and it is not sitting well with anybody I t

10/8/2015 7:57:04 PM

Anchorage Alaska

liking the sprout point of view..

10/8/2015 10:38:03 PM

Muddy Waters

I agree with sprout also keep it simple

10/9/2015 7:16:36 AM

SF Bay Area, California

This reminds me back when the GPC had the 80% rule. The fruit had to be 80% orange, white or cream to be considered a pumpkin. Everything else was considered a lowly squash and out of the big prize money. Of course all pumpkins are squash and this squashed the season of many a giant grower and lead to endless arguments and resentment among honest growers and judges trying to fairly implement or comply with this absurd rule.

The 3" rule is just as absurd and impossible to fairly implement. If the pumpkin wall is 12" thick and a 3” divot has healed, the pumpkin is perfectly sound. The other aspect of the rule that is ludicrous - over two soft areas regardless of size equals disqualification. I bet I could find three small blemishes on a good percentage of all giant pumpkins... And these fruit and their growers must all be damned to the disqual zone.

The 3” rule is the GPC’s hair shirt that all growers must wear as atonement for their sins to the pumpkin gods…..

10/9/2015 9:47:49 AM