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Wednesday, February 15, 2023 big moon Bethlehem CT

Entry 16 of 143  
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http://www.bigpumpkins.com/msgboard/ViewThread.asp?b=30&p=621073
For giant melon growers, I recently looked up this old discussion we had back in 2017. What a great discussion, all the best growers in the world giving their thoughts. I miss those days on here. There is something about the old style "internet forum" like bp.com that really encouraged these lengthy discussions. We don't see this kind of lengthy and detailed discussion on the new forums people are predominantly using in current times. Maybe it's not the format... it could be us too... Maybe we have changed. I actually think it's both.
One interesting comment was from brotherdave. (his input carries lots of weight with me) because his squash/Ag breeding program helped to jump-start a very important leap in weights in the giant squash. Dave bred AG pumpkins with giant squash, then he recommended growing out four of the hybrid seedling the next year in the same spot. After fruit set you would select the plant with produced green fruit culling out the other three plants. Scott Holub also deserves credit here as he believed in what Dave was doing and grew a world record with those seeds.
Dave has always been a big advocate of the idea that more lobes, means heavier melons. Which I have seen to be true. THe more lobes packed in a melon, the less chance for hollow heart is what I have seen. The following is what Dave said back in 2017, I wonder if anyone tried that seed line that had an eight lober?
"Genetic anomalies could be one answer to increased weights. If anyone out there wants to try a seed from a plant that produced an 8 lobed female email me (228 Carson 90 x self). Also used as a pollinator on a 290 Mudd. The 290 out performed a couple 305 Mudd seeds in my patch. 305 and 290 are the same cross from different years. I'll be putting both in the ground next season."
 



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