So, Sen (President of the Danforth Center Society of Fellows - which I'll explain) and I were talking at tea time today about the ridiculously humongous pumpkin, and how to go about getting space to grow it at the center. The Society of Fellows is a social/professional organization for non-faculty scientists at the Danforth Center. So, I thought Sen would know about how to have an organization at the DDPSC (Donald Danforth Plant Science Center).

He did.

Sen said that what I need to do is found a ridiculously humongous pumpkin club at the Danforth Center, by sending around an email and seeing who wants to do some awesome. Then, as I mentioned in my last post, I can go to Howard and request some space. As Sen and I were discussing this, Christian (whose boss is Howard) overheard and let us know that construction on the plot of land to the North of the Danforth Center parking lot is likely to go ahead this year.

The plan is to build an incubator for plant biotechnology businesses, in the vein of other St. Louis life science incubators like the Center for Emerging Technologies, and the Nidus Center. The idea behind these places is to lower the barriers to entry for new companies by providing promising organizations with lab space, administrative and support services, and training/education in the business side of building a business. But, that new building will likely be only on the portion of the land closest to Warson Road, leaving ample room for a few pumpkin plants, either to the North or the West of the Center.

So let's cut to the chase.

I need to send around an email to the Danforth Center announcing the formation of the ridiculously humongous pumpkin club. The draft is below.

XOXO,
Bert

Dear everyone:

As Don Langevin wrote in How to Grow World Class Giant Pumpkins, II,

"You see, this is about much more than growing a few pumpkins. This is about humanity; you and me accepting our personal and united challenge to grow the world's largest pumpkin."

This summer, that challenge is coming to the Danforth Center.

I have obtained several seeds of Cucurbita maxima var. Dill's Atlantic Giant from P&P Seed Company in Collins, NY. Larry Checkon of Northern Cambria, PA holds the world record for growing a single giant pumpkin that tipped the scales at 666 kg (1,461 lbs). I believe that given the collected scientific and horticultural knowledge at the Danforth Center, we could grow a truly, ridiculously humongous pumpkin.

Anyone who would like to join me in this quest should send me an email and let me know that. I look forward to hearing from the very most bold and daring among you. We plant at the end of the month.

Humongously,
Bert Berla