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Connecticut

    About 4 years ago I saw that the squash lines were all coming from the same small gene pool, and problems were becoming more and more of an issue, such as poor pollination rates. However, these lines were still being grown, because if you were able to get one set, then the weight potential was there.

    I decided to embark on a systematic plan to try and correct some of these plant behavior problems, but keep the good growing aspect in the line. Here was how it all ended up working out…

Year 1 (2008):

Goal was to breed the best green color producer (the 834* Gadberry) with a great weight producer (848* MacKenzie). Another side note is that both of these seeds come from a strong 895.5* Hester background, so I am also concentrating this genetic line by breeding these two seeds together.

Result was the 800* DeBacco ’08 dmg (F: 848* MacKenzie x M: 834* Gadberry). While it did develop a small pin hole split, many of my pumpkins also did that year, which I think was due to me over pushing them. It was only 52 days old and 10% heavy.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=99805

1/10/2011 7:31:16 PM

Connecticut

Year 2 (2009):

Goal was to now take my previous years cross and add it to a squash line that was still green producing, but that was completely different genetically. After some searching and research, I decided on the 663* Andrews to breed with my previous year’s big x green cross.

Results: 725.6* DeBacco ’09 dmg (F: 800* DeBacco ’08 dmg x M: 663* Andrews ’05) that I lost to a stem split. This squash was only 47 days old and went 5.7% heavy and had great green color that showed my initial plan worked out.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=123066

I also grew a 799* DeBacco ’09 (M: 663* Andrews ’05 x M: 800* DeBacco ’08 dmg) that went 3.7% heavy. This was the squash I was most interested in because of the great pollinator.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=124871

1/10/2011 7:31:33 PM

Connecticut

Year 3 (2010):

Goal: To trial both of my crosses from the previous year to test my own theory. I did not want to promote seeds that might have potential problems without trying them both myself first.

Results: My 725.6* was difficult to germinate, and while it grew great, it did pin hole split on me at 714.4* pounds. Upon internal inspection I was not thrilled with what I saw, so I cannot give this seed my endorsement, as there could be a chance of potential problems.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=148105

However, my 799* grew a nice fruit that weighed 963 pounds and went 9.8% heavy. What I liked is that internally this fruit was thick all over with a good growth rate over the course of the season. The blossom end was 5” thick and meaty. The only downfall was that the green color was a little bland, and it was ruled a pumpkin at the weigh-off I took it to. I find this lack of color surprising, as I have been breeding good color the entire time, so I think this was just an oddity.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=149756

This is only a sample size of ‘one’, and I got a decent seed count from my 799*, so I am offering my 799* seeds for the price of just sending a self-addressed bubble with postage included until my predetermined quantity to send out reaches zero.

1/10/2011 7:31:56 PM

Connecticut

Summary:

You can look at my diary (under “Matt D.”) for more pictures and information about each season.
I would like to see more growers try the 799* DeBacco ’09 because I think it has great potential for helping the squash line progress. If the color carries over like it should, the best of both worlds would be combined, two different lines brought together with good plant behavior and thick interior structure.
Honestly, I cannot guarantee that I am going to plant the 799* this year, as I have a clone project that I am also working on, and patch space and time is limiting. I do feel that this seed may help growers get some different green genetics into some of their crosses.
If you are interested in any of my seeds let me know, but the 799* is the one that I have the most of, and while not a great seed count, I have enough I can send out for the price of a self-addressed bubble with postage.
This is just a shameless plug and insight into the breeding project I have been working on, since I thought some growers might be interested in my project.
Four years of work and just a little seed to show for it ;-)

1/10/2011 7:32:13 PM

Connecticut

Summary (easier to read):

You can look at my diary (under “Matt D.”) for more pictures and information about each season.

I would like to see more growers try the 799* DeBacco ’09 because I think it has great potential for helping the squash line progress. If the color carries over like it should, the best of both worlds would be combined, two different lines brought together with good plant behavior and thick interior structure.

Honestly, I cannot guarantee that I am going to plant the 799* this year, as I have a clone project that I am also working on, and patch space and time is limiting. I do feel that this seed may help growers get some different green genetics into some of their crosses.

If you are interested in any of my seeds let me know, but the 799* is the one that I have the most of, and while not a great seed count, I have enough I can send out for the price of a self-addressed bubble with postage.

This is just a shameless plug and insight into the breeding project I have been working on, since I thought some growers might be interested in my project.

Four years of work and just a little seed to show for it ;-)

1/10/2011 7:33:07 PM

Enumclaw, Wa

Matt:

Great effort and committment. Too bad it takes so long to get results. I will try and get a bubble sent out.

Bob Risi

1/13/2011 8:29:02 PM

Enumclaw, Washington

bubble sent

1/15/2011 2:27:55 AM

New Hampshire, USA

Where to send envelope..jenjim59@tds.net

Thanks jim

2/24/2011 8:52:10 PM

Connecticut

All the bubbles from requests have been mailed out, but if there is anyone else who is interested please let me know as I still have some seeds to give out. (So, you are in luck Jim;-)

Best of luck to all the squash growers out there and I hope this project proves to be helpful to those that try a DeBacco seed.

3/1/2011 8:46:08 PM