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Rushville, Ohio

I grew a pumpkin from a seed titled 612 Parks which came from 1753 Ortman x 1775 Ligget. My pumpkin ended up being 191 lbs 54 DAP. It was self-pollinated. Should I save the seeds from my pumpkin for next year or should I start over and buy seeds?

10/12/2025 1:14:47 PM

Grittyville, WA

Maybe both. It can be fun to grow your own even if its just a backup plant. Spending some money at the auctions or asking for seeds from someones else's pumpkin can be fun too.

10/12/2025 9:51:10 PM

Grittyville, WA

If you're growing for size then you probably want to look for something with 1500+ lb parents. For most of us the genetics isn't the main limiting factor, but getting good genetics can help.

10/12/2025 9:53:54 PM

Syracuse, NY

It seems that perhaps your seeds will be of the 'Open-Pollinated' type, which means via your Diary that they were done so by the bees and that is, in MY opinion, a lesser-desirable form of pollination due to that 'We don't (really) KNOW who the father is'.
With all due respect and I could easily refer/explain/denote/accommodate anyone on what the benefits are of a 'Controlled Cross' and 'Closed Pollination', I personally would not grow seeds that are open-pollinated unless they had a 'track record' that indicates some desirable characteristics. For example, if an open-pollinated seed grows the World Record, no one would NOT think of planting one next year.

In a controlled cross, the male flowers have been taken inside or sealed shut/the female flower has been Nylon Mesh-Bagged (NOT paper bagged nor 'Little Red-Cupped') the day/night before and used for manually pollinating the next morning, thereby ensuring that the seeds are of the known Mother's and Father's genetics, which are grounds for much speculation as to what the outcome(s) of that seed may present in the years ahead, as well as sell-ability and trade-ability in the near term as well.

[Last edit: 10/12/25 11:17:36 PM]

10/12/2025 11:13:50 PM

Syracuse, NY

Preachy-preachy, I am, here, and I see that you said 'self-pollinated' and I apologize for any misconstrue.
With all the seeds available with track records for 'sure', (I did not see any references to any of the parent fruits on PumpkinFanatic, but all 3 of their growers are TOP-NOTCH!) growing either more of the same seeds that you grew or other seeds with verifiable parents are advisable.
Ironically, I grew only MY own seeds this year.
Currently, the top 3 (of like 24) are speculatively 600, 500 and 400 pounds.
What am I gonna do? lol---eric g

PS>>>As Little Ketchup said, 'Maybe both.' I concur. If you have the room, grow your own if you'd like
AND other, new, the same exact, or 'boughten' seeds.

I have my own, all at 6/$20!!! or I could scout out a few others' for you when you maybe decide to buy any.
I know of a seed that is for $25 each that I'd plant in an instant, if I didn't have so many otherwise!
Maybe even an 'EG' courtesy seed pack for the cost of shipping, only.
I am not out to make a buck and have yet to grow a 1,000-pounder; Just trying to help, in my own way.
Take Care---Eric Gerry
[email protected]

[Last edit: 10/12/25 11:46:11 PM]

10/12/2025 11:13:58 PM