2011 IPGA SPRING MEETING SATURDAY APRIL 9,2011

Welcome Top 3 Things going on today! 1. IPGA Club Update 2. KY/SOhio/Niagara/OH/MI Seminar roundup 3. Seeds/Sprays other topics of interest

AGENDA 12:00 Pizza and Pop available 12:00 Welcome and IPGA Update Pat, Mikkal, Larry, Kelly 12:15 Kentucky and So. Ohio Seminar - Mikkal 12:30 Niagara Seminar - Kelly 12:45 Ohio and Michigan Seminar –Tom, Mikkal, Kelly 1:00 Break 1:05 Seeds –Mikkal, Kelly 1:30 Chemical Update – Tom 1:45 Questions/Comments 1:55 Final Remarks 2:00 Meeting Dismissed

Current IPGA Directors President – Kelly Klinker ‘10 Vice President – Mikkal Hodge ‘10 Treasurer – Pat Hansen ‘00 Secretary – Larry Hodge ‘10 Site Coordinator – Vacant

IPGA Contests Indiana State Fair (GPC). August 13 th, Indianapolis Fairgrounds. New Bremen Pumpkinfest* (GPC) Sat Sep 24 th, New Bremen, OHIO Hensler’s Nursery Weigh-in (GPC). Sunday September 25 th, Hamlet. Gatewood’s Vegetable Farm Weigh off (GPC). October 1 st Noblesville. Pennville’s Fall Jubillee Weigh off. October 15 th, Pennville. Family Roots Nursery, Dale (Southern Indiana) unconfirmed. * New Bremen is Independent of the IPGA.

IPGA Financial Update $3600 Raised from the Bigpumpkins.com auction All seeds were sent all checks received. ‘10 Major Expenses (Prizes +GPC+BP)

The 2011 Kentucky spring meeting featured several growers Who gave advice and tips ranging from pumpkins to watermelon to general plant care of them all. The speakers featured: Frank Mudd-Best Watermelon, 251 Chris Kent-Watermelon World Record Holder-291 John and James Van Hook- Growing a state Record at 1331 Tom Privitera- General Plant Care

Frank grows his plants in a 10’ X 20’ area He trains his plans with four to five main vines The plants are pruned to keep them more open The plants are pruned to only grow within their allotted space Care is taken to have controlled crosses

Chris also trains his watermelons inside of a 10’ X 20’ area He only sets fruit on one of the plants main vines of which there are typically 4-6 His watering method consists of a 4’ X 4’ pvc square the has a hose bib attached and holes drilled into the pipe When his plants reach the designated space he just turns the vines around and lets them grow back into the area, his leaves can get 3-4 feet deep Like Frank, Chris takes great care in controlled pollinations, he believes this will lead to much larger melons and predicts a 500 pound melon within 10 years!

John and James grew the Kentucky state record in 2010 at 1331 pounds They incorporate several trucks loads of worm casting into their patch in the spring They do not bury their vines due to rot issues, instead the trench ahead of the vines and uses bbq skewers to hold the vines down, $1 for 100 at wal-mart They used Post on all their plants to control grass under the leaves, Post is a selective herbicide specific to grass. They hand water with a specially made watering wand They are also very obsessed with the 1450 Wallace! Say a prayer for James he will be deployed to Iraq in May

Tom talked about keeping your plant healthy thru harvest time to maximize fruit size He takes a tissue sample the first of August to see what plants are lacking Stressed the importance of watching your plants and feeding them what they tell you they need, knowing what they need.

The Southern Ohio Growers put on an excellent meeting every year. This years meeting featured – Tom Privitera – Under the Canopy watering – Bob Liggett – Growing the 1622

At this meeting Tom brought a demo of the under the canopy watering system he and many other growers are using with great success. The sprinklers used are called Dan Micro’s and each head will give you about 3’ diameter coverage at psi.

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Items Needed – Sprinkler Heads $12.50 for 5 – PVC Pipe 10-½” x 10’ Lengths $1.65 Each 3-¾”x 10’ Lenghts $2.50 Each Couplings and Valves $25.00 Total Cost about $90 per plant, the upside is you can store this system and reuse for at least 4-5 years without much upkeep.

Bob grew a 1622 in 2010 from the 1725 Harp. In 2011 Bob plans to have a fully automated watering system that includes the Under Canopy system Also in 2011 Bob will be growing much larger plants than he has been growing, pushing the size up to square feet Bob holds the record for largest physical size pumpkin which he grew in 2009 that was estimated at 1837 pounds

Niagara - Kelly 1810 was the 1 st set on the plant Connolly was also the 1 st set. Connolly, Stevens, Sweet all used mycorrizahe , fish/seaweed, kelp also used. Connolly – 1 ½ yards of cow manure/plant.(Fall)

Niagara - Kelly Newer products to use: Rootshield, Actinovate (biological fungicides) can survive chemical fungicide applications. Folic acid helps make fertilizer applications more effective Soil testing: CEC should be 65-70% saturation. Temp: range for best production, 77 optimal. Night temps around 75 in Aug/Sept for best nutrient movement. Soil ammendments: manure, humic acid, gypsum, mycorrhiza, azos, kelp, blood meal (stevens), fish, seaweed Plant design: Stevens - spider

Rules Changes for Trim tap root, tendril, ect. Along with vine to one inch from stem. - Master Gardener : switching to 5/6 categories for minimum to qualify. Squash now counts as a separate category. Changing points system. -Site fees due by June 1 -Bylaw changes on web.

Prize List Changes for Increased payout for heaviest overall category to 20 th place -GotY payout increased -$100 for Master Grower

Prize List: OVERALL SQUASH G o t Y OTHER $1,000 A,B 1) $500 A, C, D 1)$750 1)$100 E $700 2) $300 2)$500 $500 3) $100 3)$250 $300 $200 6 th -10 th $100 ea. 11 th – 20 th $50 ea. A - Also large engraved plaque B- New World Record Pumpkin bonus: $500 C - New World Record Squash bonus: $1000 D Featured vegetable bonus: $1000 E - $50 World Record bonus

-2,000 pound challenge reminder – pot now up to $5,000 -“Featured vegetable of the year”: $1,000 bonus, 2011 is squash -WR Bonuses – all categories Bonus Prizes

Great Pumpkin Commonwealth RTI would like to work closer with the GPC and the community of Giant Pumpkin Growers to mutually promote: The sport of “Competitive Gardening, particularly growing Giant Pumpkins.” A Collaborative Agreement

Xtreme Gardening Performance Products for Organic Gardening Xtreme Gardening Performance Products for Organic Gardening Xtreme-Gardening Products is a new retail line based on the success of RTI’s “Biologicals” and “Amendments” that have been used by Giant Pumpkin Growers for the past five years. The product has been introduced on a limited scale in 2010 with an excellent response. It will gradually become available nationally over the next twelve months with full national distribution occurring in

Xtreme Garden Products Focus The focus of the marketing will be to promote and support gardeners in growing “A Big One”, taking a run at the county fair, getting involved with the GPC or just grow their “Personal Best” It is an opportunity to bring a level of excitement into the garden world that the Giant Pumpkin Community knows well. Xtreme Gardening Products are: “Organic Based”, “Highly Effective” “Convenient & Easy to Use” Xtreme Gardening Marketing will: Promote the GPC Family Gardening Encourage kids to pick up trowel and plant a seed. Xtreme Gardening Giant Pumpkin Kit Great for Gifts Available at: Amazon.com, Sears.com, Independent Nurseries

Agreement between RTI & the GPC The GPC seal and endorsement will be displayed on all Xtreme Gardening displays and eventually all packaging. In exchange: -RTI will pay the GPC a royalty. -Club discounts on all RTI products will continue through RTI or one of its appointed dealers including Xtreme Pumpkins, Poughkeepsie, NY and Parks Garden Center, Canfield, OH -Reward all winners at Premium Level sites with a “Winner’s Pak” of RTI Products. -Offer a $2,000 award to the largest pumpkin grown each year with one or more RTI products. -A cash prize of $5000 will go to the first grower who uses RTI products and hits or passes 2,000 lbs. $2,000 Cash Award to the Largest Pumpkin grown with one or more RTI Products $5,000 for the first 2,000 lb Pumpkin An Xtreme Gardening “Winner’s Paks” to every GPC “Premium Level” site winner Containing: Pumpkin Pro, AZOS & CALCARB

Ohio/Michigan – Mikkal, Tom, Kelly Heavy Hitter Panel Ken Sweet: 900 sq ft plants spider design, uses mycorrizahe, kelp, buries side vines, chemicals: merit, cleary’s, warrior, daconil, actinovate, rootshield. Pollinations ~ 12 ft, 7 side vines before pumpkin. water method: Drip. ~ 100 gallons per day. Joe Platte: sq ft plants, ammendments: compost, buries vines but does not trench, chemicals: Subdue, Cleary’s Daconil, Pollinations ~ 12ft, water method: Drip.

VINE PATTERN 1662 “2007” Two secondaries before pumpkin, I let grow as long as possible, even cutting into other plants for room

VINE PATTERN 1622 & 1658 “2009” Two secondar y's before were allowed to grow extra long

PATCH SIZE

Break

Kelly’s ‘09 Seeds to get/grow – 2010 Follow up daho (992 glasier x 1180 pukos) 0 pumpkins in AGGC Stelts (1385 Jutras x 904 Stelts) , Stelts (985 Werner x 904 Stelts) Young (1483 Werner x 1288 Wallace) Young (1385 Jutras x 1207 Young) Liggett (1459 Sundstrom x 1375 Liggett) Revier (1385 Jutras x 1161 Rodonis) Stevens (985 Werner x 1140 Stevens) 0 pumpkins in AGGC Holland (1092 Martin x 1385 Jutras) 0 pumpkins in AGGC Neptune (1521 Werner x 1556 Werner)

Kelly’s ‘09 Seeds to get/grow – 2010 Follow up Neptune (1556 Werne x 1521 Werner) Sweet (1161 Rodonis x 1413 Werner) Marsh (1252 Marsh x 1161 Rodonis) Harp (998 Pukos x 1385 Jutras) Harp (985 Werner x 1385 Jutras) McMullen (991 Urena X 1119 McMullen) Starr (1528 Starr X 985 Werner)

2010 Promising Seeds - Mikkal 1674 Marsh % Heavy (1488 Marsh X 1544 Revier) – Pollinator Grew Kevin’s (+22%) 1165 was a sound exh. Fruit Marsh % Heavy (1276 Marsh X 1544 Revier) – Pollinator Grew Kevin’s (+22%) 1165 was a sound exh. Fruit Stevens % (1421 Stelts X 1161 Rodonis) – Pollinator grew the (+17%) 1725 Sweet % Lite (1161 Rodonis X 1303 Sweet) – 1725 was the largest physical size fruit grown in 2010 – Pollinator grew 1605(+15%) 1605 Sweet % Heavy (1303 Sweet X 1161 Rodonis) – Pollinator grew 1725(-2%) 1663 Zoellner % Heavy (1421 Stelts X Sibb) – Pollinator grew 1198(+9%) – This 1421 Jeff grew by far outperformed anything else in his patch.

Pollinator grew 1165 (+22%) Sound exh. fruit.

Pollinator grew 1810 (+17%)

Pollinator grew 1605 (+15%)

Pollinator grew 1725 (-2%)

Pollinator grew 1198 (+9%)

2010 Promising Seeds - Mikkal 1610 Leiber % Heavy (1161 Rodonis X Self) – Howard Dill Award winner 1596 Werner % Heavy ( Starr X 1421 Stelts) – Pollinator grew 1634 (-4%) 1461 Werner % Heavy (1236 Harp X Starr) – Pollinator grew 1596 (+8%) 1053 Stelts % Heavy (1333 Young X 1161 Rodonis) – Pollinator grew 1495 (+25%) 1331 Van Hook % Heavy (1450 Wallace X 991 Urena) – Pollinator grew 1210 (+8%) 1210 Van Hook % Heavy (991 Urena X 1450 Wallace) – Pollinator grew 1331 (17%)

Howard Dill Award Winner

Pollinator grew 1634 (-4%)

Pollinator grew 1596 (+8%)

Pollinator grew 1495 (+25%)

Pollinator grew 1210 (+8%)

Pollinator grew 1331 (+17%)

2010 Promising Seeds - Mikkal 1592 Platte 9% Heavy (1566 Rodonis X 1303 Sweet) – Pollinator grew 1420 (+9%) Connolly % Heavy (1725 Harp X 1596 Wallace) – Pollinator grew 1370 (+4%) – Most of plant was killed Aug. 29 grew last month on plant after fruit Connolly % Heavy (1596 Wallace X 1725 Harp) – Pollinator grew (+5%) 1520 Sperry % Heavy (1385 Jutras X 1725 Harp) – Pollinator grew 1314 Dmg.(20% Heavy) 1222 Sperry % Heavy (901 Hunt X 1725 Harp) – Pollinator grew 1314 (+20%) 1105 Sperry % Heavy ( Stelts X 1725 Harp) Pollinator grew 1314 (+20%)

Pollinator grew 1420 (+9%)

Pollinator grew 1370 (+4%)

Pollinator grew (+5%)

Pollinator grew 1314 (+20%)

2010 Promising Seeds - Mikkal Daletas % Heavy (1288 Wallace X 991 Urena) – Pollinator grew 1394 (+23%) 1216 Daletas % Heavy (1408 Daletas X 991 Urena) – Pollinator grew 1394 (+23%) 1066 Lombardi % Heavy (1248 Lombardi X 1246 Lombardi) – Grandparents are 1450, 998, 985 and

Pollinator grew 1394 (+23%)

Power grandparents 1450, 998, 985, 1385

Chemical Tommy All calculations are based upon 1 gallon of spray per 1000 square feet. Insecticides Systemic Insecticides *Generic Merit- This product is the same active ingredient as Merit. We suggest 1 tsp per gallon. Contact Insecticides *Talstar- This product is a less harmful chemical with similar properties to Warrior/Scimitar. We suggest ounce/gallon every 2 weeks.

Chemical Tommy All calculations are based upon 1 gallon of spray per 1000 square feet. Fungicides Systemic Fungicides *Generic Subdue- This is the same active ingredient as Subdue Maxx. We suggest 1 ounce per 1000 sq ft at the first of each month. *Generic Clearys- This is the same active ingredient as Clearys We suggest 3/4 tsp per 1000 sq ft at the first of each month. *Generic Banner- This is the same active ingredient as Banner Maxx. We suggest 1/2 tsp per 1000 sq ft starting as soon as the plant is fully terminated. *Eagle-This is the same active ingredient as Nova. We only have 2 ounces per kit. Apply 1 tsp per plant as soon as Powdery Mildew is detected. Contact Fungicides *Generic Daconil- This is the same active ingredient as Daconil. We suggest 1 tbsp per 1000 sq ft every 2 weeks. Take special precaution with your eyes. This product really burns. *CuPro- This is the new name for Kocide. We suggest 1 tbsp per 1000 sq ft every 4 weeks starting 2 weeks after fruit set. Alternate with Pentathalon. Do not tank mix with anything else. *Pentathalon- This is the new name for Manzate. We suggest 1 tbsp per 1000 sq ft every 4 weeks starting 4 weeks after fruit set. Alternate with CuPro

Chemical Tommy All calculations are based upon 1 gallon of spray per 1000 square feet. Special notes -The Kit is designed to have very little product remaining so don’t over apply! Be careful with the Generic Banner, there is a significant amount of excess with that. -You may run out of Generic Merit and Eagle. -Drenching should be about 1 inch of water

Chemical Tommy For May 1 set out date May 1 Drench Generic Subdue ¼ tsp in a 6’x7’ area around each plant Drench Generic Clearys 1/24 tsp in a 6’x7’ area around each plant Drench Generic Merit 1/8 tsp in a 6’x7’ area around each plant These 3 may all be done at the same time. Attempt ~1 inch of water Foliar Generic Merit ¼ tsp in 10 oz water(use spray bottle and only use as much as necessary to spray plant top and bottom of leaves) Foliar Talstar ½ tsp in the same 10 oz of water May 15 Foliar Generic Merit ¼ tsp in 10 oz wate (use spray bottle) Foliar Talstar ½ tsp in the same 10 oz of water

Chemical Tommy June 1 Drench Generic Subdue 1 ounce per 1000 sq. ft. Drench Generic Clearys 3/4 tsp per 1000 sq. ft. I would guess a 15x15 (7.5 ft each way) area around each plant would be good. This would be 900 sq ft total for 4 plants. Foliar Generic Merit 1 tsp per 1000 sq. ft. Foliar Talstar ounce per 1000 sq. ft. I would guess 1 gallon of spray would treat all 4 plants easily. June 15 Foliar Generic Merit 1 tsp per 1000 sq. ft. Foliar Talstar ounce per 1000 sq. ft. This time figure up square footage of each plant by multiplying ½ by the length of the main vine multiplied with the width of the plant. (Area=1/2 x base x length) This is basically a triangle shape formula

Where do I find these products? Local Co-op’s Chemical supplier in Monroe, IN Home Depot, Menard’s, Lowe’s Contact Kelly about ordering the spray program or

Wrap up Volunteers are always welcome, contact anyone on the board to see how your can help the club. Check the website ( often for club updates and ways to contact the board.

2011 Goal 1811 lbs!