From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Walhalla, ND.

3 of my 5 pumpkins were sabotaged. I'm left with only two pumpkins therefore I won't be weighing 3 different pumpkins at three different GPC locations this year. I was left with bringing 1 of my sevivors to our local pumpkin festival it weight in at 1461 pounds.

10/1/2017 4:14:39 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

That really sucks. Where were they vandalized at. Hope you were left with your two biggest. Are you still planning on taking your remaining one to Minnesota?

10/1/2017 4:25:14 PM

Central NY

The the heck you mean sabatooge?

10/1/2017 5:02:29 PM

Walhalla, ND.

This has all occurred right in my garden. Three of my big ones. While lifting with sling on Friday to put them on pallets for the weigh off this past Saturday. One at a time they broke open during the lift. Two of the pumpkins it appears the rot originated on the bottom left front corner. The other one from the bottom right front corner. All three were about 4 inches from the bottom just under the lower rib. I'm not certain as to when all three stopped growing because I hadn't measured them in a couple weeks. But I cut one open and I have determined that the problem occurred exactly where it broke open. But I'm certain they were damaged at the same time. I suspect someone punched a hole in those locations where they broke open. I'm not naming names at this point, but I have more than enough reason to believe it is from my competition who grows right across the fence from me. What I'm wondering at this point is when a pumpkin has been punctured into the cavity at the location as described approximately how long will it take to rot to the point it will break open.

10/1/2017 5:23:20 PM

Central NY

Prolly 2-3 weeks?.. An educated guess

10/1/2017 6:11:54 PM

Central NY

Let's see pics ...

10/1/2017 6:13:26 PM

Colorado

Sounds like someone familiar with subtle sabotage versus kids who would have left the biggest hole they could make.So question is who would pull a stealth prank like that.

10/1/2017 6:33:05 PM

Central NY

Prolly Qtip...

10/1/2017 6:38:42 PM

Colorado

Yep tippy is the first person I thought off

10/1/2017 6:50:48 PM

Torrance, Ca.

For sure Q.

10/1/2017 7:38:11 PM

Walhalla, ND.

Yep your right cojoe. The individual I'm thinking that either had a hand in it or directed to someone how to do it is my only competition here locally. He grows right next to me. He's well known around here for being not only a cheap leach but also the biggest liar anyone has known. His own cousin said to me just this summer. Quote " he's the only person I have ever known to tell a lie even if the truth was better " Anyway, he's been growing giants for over 12 years. He told me last year that you have to watch out for people puncturing a hole in your pumpkin. The very area mine appear to have been damaged is right where he told me was the best spot that wasn't noticeable.

10/1/2017 8:22:42 PM

west central IN/East central IL

Maybe shot with pellet gun

10/1/2017 9:18:25 PM

Mn

I'd guess QTip too...that boy ain't right

10/1/2017 9:24:43 PM

Torrance, Ca.

But if he gets me some carrot seeds he's the man!!!

10/1/2017 10:39:28 PM

Central Illinois

Terrible news , every grower should have some type of surveillance

10/2/2017 8:43:06 AM

Mission Viejo, CA

Wow this totally sucks. So sorry Hobbit. You've had an amazing season.

10/2/2017 2:07:17 PM

Bloomington, IN USA

Any suggestions on type of surveillance?

10/3/2017 12:46:57 PM

Walhalla, ND.

I'm thinking one of those wireless cameras that in real time sends me an alert to my cell phone. Then I can watch what's going down.

10/3/2017 1:05:52 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Simple and cheap as long as you have a wireless connection is the netgear\arlo. It bings your phone every time there's action on the cameras.
4 cameras for less then 500 bucks.

10/3/2017 1:43:43 PM

Grittyville, WA

Its not going to help much now but... It's easy to measure every day and identify the problem early (maybe notice a very small entry point from a pellet or skewer). The way to measure every day is to tape a braided nylon line around the pumpkin then crimp it as the pumpkin grows. Just leave the line in place and the marks will remain where the line was crimped. You will notice a slowdown if anything happens to the plant or to the integrity of the pumpkin. Hope that helps...

10/3/2017 11:03:55 PM