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Marion,IN

How big a pumpkin do you have to grow before you get the title "heavy hitter" or have a pumpkin that's grown to "world class size"?

2/19/2006 9:42:22 AM

Eugene,OR

I think that if you consistently grow a 1000 pounder every year that you would be considered a "heavy hitter."

2/19/2006 9:49:51 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

I think that more then what you have grown, it's what you have contributed to the sport/hobby.
I know a few people that I consider HH that have not grown 1000 lbs.

2/19/2006 10:02:16 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

ditto to what Tom said...

2/19/2006 12:55:52 PM

ENGLAND

Also ditto to what Tom said.

2/19/2006 1:06:08 PM

Webster, NY

I also agree, but what is world class size? It seems to change every year. I would guess that if you grow something over 1000 pounds then it is world class. Or maybe 900? What do you think?

2/19/2006 4:07:18 PM

Ohio

Howard Dill is the best example of a heavy hitter,he hasnt grown a 1000 lber yet, but real close,this is his year to do it.The 903 Dill went a little light he grew last year and it measured real close to 1000lbs. I consider him the biggest Heavy hitter of them all.

2/19/2006 4:35:58 PM

Warwood

I agree totally with Tom and Brooks about what is meant by a heavy hitter. Don

2/19/2006 7:32:11 PM

No Place Special

I agree with Bohica but if I were to have an opinion on just weight alone id say 1200 or more lbs.

2/19/2006 8:00:59 PM

Pumpkintown, SC

Yes, those are all very nice PC answers but the truth of the matter has unfortunately been far more weight related.
Although, obviously THE "Pumpkin King" IS the heaviest of true HHs, I personally have never heard him referred to as one. Weight related? Probably! Un-PC, BF

2/19/2006 11:33:03 PM

Pumpkintown, SC

PS. Unfortunately B&R, I feel Vineman hit the nail on the head!

2/19/2006 11:34:53 PM

In dill's case you see the classic case of someone starting a trend in sport then falling behind as the sport grows.

2/19/2006 11:48:47 PM

San Diego

it begs the question too, who are considered heavy hitters in southern climates where pumpkin size is much less due to climate zones. A 1000 lb pumpkin in Rhode Island is great, but a 700 to 900 lber in Texas, Florida, Southern California, etc is huge.

2/20/2006 12:01:01 AM

Puyallup, WA

What would that make a grower from Arizona who grows an 800 pounder?

2/20/2006 12:54:43 AM

Syracuse, NY

for the record, Howard Dill can be called anything
including a Heavy Hitter regardless of if he has hit over a thousand pounds or not. that is the ONLY person i would say that about. otherwise if a grower has never grown a fruit over 1000 pounds, he has never been a Heavy Hitter.
La Rue, Eaton, Holland, Hester, Pukos and Werner(s),
all heavy hitters. haven't grown over 1K? not a Heavy Hitter. you cannot take credit where it is not DUE you,
no matter how nice of a person you are.
maybe someday the cutoff will be 1200 pounds or 1500. MHO

2/20/2006 1:16:01 AM

Pumpkintown, SC

Duster, there aren't any...the criteria doesn't fit.
Insted, these very solid growers are mainly only known/respected by their "local peers". IMHO, BF

2/20/2006 1:17:12 AM

Rhode Island

Consistant hitter would be more appropriate in 2006 where "heavy hitter" was a true defination of the hobbies big time growers in the eighties and ninties.
( not lost also is the fact that a lot of these so called heavy hitters never shared a thing with anyone.)

Thank goodness the hobby has evolved from a "how did he do that" to "heres how i did that " system.( for the most part lol )

Books, grower seminars, local clubs, internet access and generosity of experienced growers,all made this hobby what it is today.
If not for these things we would in no way be anywhere close to what we enjoy today.

To much information available today for anyone to be called a "heavy hitter".
consistant however,like an al eaton, jack larue, larry and gerry checkon, etc,etc, are the true example of a "consistant hitter ".

you do things right, put in the effort, get some good seeds plus a little help from mother nature you can all do it.

one also needs to take into consideration the average grower of giant pumpkins is nothing more than a back yard gardener and, due to limited space has a big problem. competing against growers that plant 15 to 25 plants every year is a little like general custer trying to survive the little big horn.

also, i shutter to think how well anyone would do that lived in the deep southern united states ,etc.
now ,if that person went consistantly over a grand id sit up and take notice.
good growing
pap

2/20/2006 8:39:26 AM

Greene R.I.

my boy pap is a true super heavy hitter!!!hes always willing to help his fellow grower, and withuot him are club would be stagnet. my results are a direct result of his and rons help and mentoring,most of R.I.s heavy weights can be traced back to ron and dicks help and friendships, TRUE HEAVY HITTERS plus it help that i can mooch chemicals from them and thier tiller and blower lol

2/20/2006 10:00:11 AM

the only exception i would suggest is the world record exception. If you held world record that count as an HH.

pap you forgot the the other checkon.

2/20/2006 2:46:37 PM

Leicester, NY

I like the idea of the Indiana grower’s website keeping track of the 10 largest pumpkins grown in a particular area. It helps to level the playing field. If one grows down south where the heaviest weights may top out in the 500-600 pound range and can consistently weigh in fruit at those weights, he or she is a HH in my book. Obviously, most of us are shooting for something over 1000 pounds, but where we live and what kind of weather we have to deal with, makes that impossible for some growers. As far as what is considered world class size now, I agree with Mike, that the bar is at or above the 1200 lb mark (and rising, lol) Matfox, how many more Checkons are there other than the 2 pap mentioned?

2/20/2006 3:29:20 PM

Marion,IN

I would like to thank all the people who took the time to answer my question. Pap, I would also like to thank you for your response. You seem very well versed in this area and I look forward to reading your responses on any topic re: pumpkins.

B&R

2/21/2006 8:33:54 PM

Rhode Island

somehow big and round sound pretty good to me. although im trying to get the big and round out and the slim guy inside set free. long way to go. lol

2/21/2006 11:36:41 PM