By Sarah Spatola

Designated as the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 1985, October - the month historically known for black cats and jack 'o' lanterns - has become synonymous with all things pink! Originally used by Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the color pink has become the national symbol for breast cancer awareness, research, support and survival.  From ribbons, to hats, to t-shirts and famous buildings bathed in a pink glow, the ultimate color of femininity is used to shed light on a disease that impacts nearly 1 in 8 American women. Even the NFL has joined the initiative, with players adorned in pink ribbons, gloves and shoes during games played in October. So it seems only natural that when crossbreeding led to the discovery of a pink pumpkin, it too would become a symbol for the worthy cause.

According to Kevin Skaling, President of DP Seeds LLC, the Porcelain Doll F1 pumpkin was developed during cross breeding research:  "it's a matter of statistics; though we didn't know exactly what we were going to get, the pink pumpkin is perfect for what we are trying to do here." In addition to its unique pink skin, the pumpkin also has a distinctive square shape, great flavor and strong disease resistance.

First available for sale in 2012, the launch of the pink pumpkin was coupled with the formation of the Pink Pumpkin Patch Foundation (PPPF). The 501(c)(3) charitable foundation was formed as a collaborative effort between DP Seeds and Golden Sun Marketing to aid in the fight against breast cancer.  Through the PPPF, America's pumpkin growers are helping to find a cure by providing a percentage of proceeds from each pink pumpkin sold to organizations involved in breast cancer research.

The Pink Pumpkin Patch Foundation is not associated with any single breast cancer research organization. Instead, funds collected by the PPPF will be available to researchers who apply for a grant that is awarded at the end of each year. With a board that donates its time, no paid employees and low operational costs, the foundation strives to ensure that a high percentage of the funds donated are spent on actual research. In its inaugural year, the PPPF provided a $30,000 grant to Dr. Denise P. Muñoz, a Staff Scientist at Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, for her breast cancer research.

2013 marks the second year for the Pink Pumpkin Patch Foundation, which already has over 300 growers participating in the program. Additionally, this year, the PPPF has partnered with more than 85 4H and FFA chapters across the country. With free seeds from Seedway® these student organizations will join the fight by donating a portion of their own pink pumpkin sales.

 

By Jim Spindler

Late summer and fall is a common time in both the north and the south to seed grasses.  In many areas, seeding is often done in the fall to repair areas damaged by the heat, drought, insect and diseases, and other conditions that thin or kill turf.

In the south, overseeding of warm season grasses with cool season grasses for winter play is very common.  This involves the opening of a warm season grass canopy, often Bermuda grass, after active growth has slowed down and seeding into the existing warm season grass with a cool season grass, such as rye grass, Poa trivialis, and others.  This allows the turf areas to maintain color during the winter when the warm season grasses enter dormancy.  It also allows golf courses to have a live putting surface during the winter months.  Southern overseeding also allows a property to remain green in resort areas where color is important.

Under normal conditions, seed is planted in the soil and then watered at regular intervals.  The seed and seed bed fluctuate between damp and dry conditions.  These fluctuating water levels will alternate between encouraging the seed to swell, imbibe water and germinate, but the dry conditions can stop the process.  After the seed begins the germination process, an extended dry period can set back the young plant and, in extreme conditions, kill the seed/young plant.

Hydretain is an ideal product to use when seeding grasses.  Hydretain is a hygroscopic humectant that converts water vapor in the soil atmosphere in to tiny water droplets.  This ability to convert soil humidity in to plant available water allows the seed to swell and imbibe water more effectively.  The water gathering properties of Hydretain will greatly reduce the wide fluctuations in water availability that seeds often experience in the field.  This results in faster and more complete seed germination. 

Once the seed germinates and young radicle begins to develop into a root, it is quite sensitive to deficiencies in available moisture.  If the radicle dries too much, the young plant may be severely set back or even killed.  Once again Hydretain will greatly reduce the drying effect that young developing plants often encounter.

Ecologel first learned of the "Hydretain Effect" on seed germination after a Penn State Universtiy test showed that seed germinated faster, experienced a higher percentage of seed germination, and  established more quickly.

Penn State University seed germination study.

Experiences in the field have demonstrated this effect.  This can be seen in the photo from Tennessee where a newly seeded area was partially treated with Hydretain, as well as in hydroseeding tests in Minnesota and Florida.  

Hydroseeding test in Tennessee.

This  result is even observed in ornaments, vegetables and other crops, as seen in the greenhouse vegetable germination photos from Trinidad.

Lettuce trial in Trinidad. 

The use of Hydretain is ideal for all seeding projects including golf courses, lawns, commercial properties, ornamentals, and farm crops.  You can find rates and more information on seeding with Hydretain at:  http://www.hydretain.com/resources/literature/Overseeding_sodding.pdf.

Jim Spindler is a Certified Professional Agronomist and a Certified Professional Soil Scientist.  Jim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy from Delaware Valley College, as well as a Master of Science degree in Forestry, with a specialization in Soil Science from Michigan Technological University.  With more than 30 years of experience both domestic and international, he has practical experience in the golf course, sports turf, and lawn care industries, in addition to extensive experience with a comprehensive range of agricultural products.  Jim also extends his services and knowledge voluntarily as the Agronomist and Research Director of the O.J. Noer Turf Research Foundation.