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Petaluma CA

Theses are the best seeds avail? 500 LBS ers

10/31/2002 10:38:36 PM

colorado

What are you saying, you don't think they are any good???? Some might turn out to surprise you... even the 100-300 lbers...

10/31/2002 10:48:15 PM

Petaluma CA

no but last year i just came to the site and got some 771

10/31/2002 11:05:20 PM

No Place Special

I believe that the seeds there now are the "leftover" seeds from last years pick. There should be a bunch more added soon!!! This year was my first year growing AG'S and I was also believing last fall/ this spring that I needed the biggest best seed possible. I even paid $40 for one on an auction. To keep my story short, I learned that there is much more to growing these things than just good BIG seeds. Really any of those seeds could produce a monster. I would rather have an AG seed from a 200 lb pumpkin and a little luck than a seed from a 1200 lb pumpkin and no luck. Someone said earlier that the 310 Eisenhaur (sp?) produced a 900 lb something pumpkin. I plan to grow my 392.5 this yr. Just my thoughts.......Mike

11/1/2002 12:01:13 AM

Petaluma CA

I will keep checking back every day.
It was my first year also, after 45 days of pumpkin growth i got some fungus decease and all my leaves died and my pumpkin stooped growing so i just left it. 2 months later (yesterday) i told the kids to do whatever they want with it (I thought it would be rotten) no water for 2 months, but it was 200 lb. and is sitting outside now with a candle in it.

11/1/2002 12:13:38 AM

Ga.

Dont know how many times this has been covered in BP.com last 2 years,,but I can tell you,,A BUNCH!! Just because you get a seed from a 1000 lb'er,,doesnt mean you will get a monster pkin!!!I thought like you to big pumpkin head when I first started,,but it dont mean anything..It takes work,luck and great genes to grow a biggun..Sure everyone wants a seed from a 100 lb'er,,but I must say all seed contain the potential..Just gotta have luck with ya.Some good soil,,and great genes...Dont fret big pkin head,,the seed will come..Relax,,long time before spring...

11/1/2002 6:08:08 AM

Connecticut, USA

The seed list had seeds over 800 pounds when I turned it on yesterday morning. You were just too late. We got over 60 requests in under a day. I will advertise the next couple of batches in advance so you can plan your time. I will also try and not favor the east coast. I had no idea they would go that quick.

11/1/2002 6:18:09 AM

Tipp City, Ohio

If you look at the dates of the seeds. None are yet from the 2002 season.

11/1/2002 9:45:46 AM

Herndon, VA

As mentioned by a few others, the size doesn't mean a whole lot. Many of the seeds offered have very good genetics and have the potential to grow very large pumpkins. I was one of the early-birds, and several 700-800lb seeds were listed, but my top 4 pics were in the 500lb range. There are still plenty of good seeds there, and if you still just want seeds form a 700+, then just be patient and wait for the 2002 seeds to roll in.

11/1/2002 11:21:39 AM

Southern Illinois

free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed,when some one gives me free seed i am happy,free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed,be happy be happy be happy,free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seedfree seed,did any one tell you these seeds were free,free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seed free seedbe happy with what you get.

11/1/2002 12:54:55 PM

Western Pa.

Just hang on guys, the seed adventure is just beginning! My seeds won't be out of the pumpkins until tomorrow!

11/1/2002 2:18:07 PM

Long Island,New York

Ingrate.

11/1/2002 4:05:31 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Once read somewhere or heard it in a featured chat that Howard Dill himself said he'd rather have the seed of a 500 lb offspring of a big un then seeds from the big un itself! Who wants to argue with him?

11/1/2002 7:35:26 PM

Puyallup, WA

Here is something to consider. If the seed offered on this site was so "prized", why is it that Charlie, Geneva, Craig, Al, Steve, Ben, Kirk or Joel are not standing in line for this seed? This is not intended as a "put down", but rather to point out that it is just "average" seed. It is better than what most first time growers can find at the seed shelves of the local Fred Meyer nursery.....that's for sure!

11/1/2002 8:47:24 PM

Indiana

Stan, Stan, Stan.......... It is all in what is behind the seed. Just because noone grows a 310 Eisenhaur doesnt mean it isnt any good. What about that 40 est from Neuville that he blew up, and was well ahead of a 712 kuhn that eventually weighed 830. Or Kelly Klinker's 740 that was off a 100 something Welty seed. Holland grows pumpkins and makes seeds that people will grow. You think anyone would plant a 100 welty x 310 Eisenhaur? Every seed is an averae seed until it gets grown by a big hitter. Just trying to open people's eyws a bit no lecture intended.

By the way, those seeds will never all dissappear, and after while, it is going to add up and make a really long seed list. I think BP.com ought to put together some large seed collections, and auction them off for whatever BP.com cost, or a charity.

Tom Beachy

11/1/2002 10:19:39 PM

Deer Park WA

Hay Gang, It doesn't matter if you plant a "silver Bullet" or an "average seed" if you don't have the soil, climate, fertilizer,ambition, and growing skills you will still end up with an AVERAGE sized pumpkin. I bet any heavy hitter could take any average seed and hit 700 pounds with a little hard work. I estimate it takes at least three seasons to get your dirt to turn into soil, and that's if you work you butt off! Nothing about reaching world class proportions comes easily you have to make it happen.

11/1/2002 10:31:22 PM

Puyallup, WA

GADS,
You are "right on".....I think that Geneva could grow virtually any seed on BP.com into a 700 pounder! However, growing giant pumpkins is all about putting the "odds in our favor". That is exactly what the "heavy hitters" are doing! They have limited space and time to spend in their patches, right? They usually grow only "proven" seed...to increase their "odds". Yes....some grow their own seeds to
see if they will show a "spark of greatness". That is why some have "testing gardens" and then they grow the proven seed in their "competition areas".
Yes Tom, it is possible that a "big one" might come from
a 300 pounder, but the probability of doing so is much smaller than if I was growing the Bobier 845....wouldn't you agree?

11/1/2002 11:17:22 PM

No Place Special

How about this....Who is going to be the first one to grow a 1500 lber? The man growing the 845 or any other "Proven" seed....you know the ones that have many 800-1000 lbers grown from it OR the man who rolls the dice looking for something new and special like the Andre the Giant of the pumpkin world?

11/1/2002 11:51:09 PM

Western Pa.

Walcott,

Only time will tell. After losing several prized seeds this spring when they didn't germinate, and the fact that I may be working 100 miles from home, I chose to plant my own seed this season. (Sometimes, if you don't try to prove one of your own, it may never be done.) I ended up with a 800.4# est. from a 440# seed, and a 680#er from a 634.5# seed.(Also a 589# from a 326.5# seed) Gads is right, if you're just sitting around next summer waitin for a 1000#er, forget it. Don't put all your money on the seeds alone. There are "other" factors. You've got to do the "homework!"

Best of luck in 2003 to all!

kilr

11/2/2002 12:38:38 AM

Caceres, Spain

When we talk about the seeds genetics, we often forget that all the seeds of one fruit aren't the same. They don't have the same vigor and even the same genetics, five lobs means five different pollen grains, and no matter they came from the same male flower, they can have differente grandfathers and grandmathers; the same than with humans brothers and sisters. And I even believe some seeds of one fruit can have a stronger will to grow a big one. Then, the question can be: how can I find and select them?

11/2/2002 3:36:32 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Yo Stan, I gotta go along with Beach and Gads here. Alot of these seeds would have bigger numbers on them if grown in the right climate and soil. Plenty of guys here work their tails off but you can't expect a pumpkin from Georgia to compete with something from Washington or New Hampshire. That pumpkin might be 500 lbs but if grown in New Hampshire with twice the growing life what would it be. Did that pumpkin grow because it was genetically heat tolerant or not grow cause it wanted more time...The seeds have to keep moing around to find out what genes are recessive and what are dominant and what grows best where. I think state records are important in each individual's growing area and finding the right genes for your area along with the "Homework". Guys dooing the homework grow consistently big pumpkins for their area and quite a few share them here! Thanks guys for the seeds and the help hopefully someday I can give back all you guys have done for me! Chuck

11/2/2002 7:33:56 AM

Indiana

Very good thread......civilized for once, LETS KEEP IT THAT WAY!!!!
Quote me on saying this!!!! The best seed on the earth is more than likely never going to get grown.

There are some seeds on BP.com that could have the genetic potential to grow a 1500 lber. Putting the odds in your favor is really more of a crap shoot. A seed is only as good as the grower.

I would agree with you on the fact that a seed from a 300 lber is not as likely to grow a 1000 lber as the 845 Bobier is only because of one fact. The heavy hitters dont grow it!!

You dont even want to see my seed line up next year if you think that way.....LOL 48 genetics plants to choose from......the plants got no water or ferts., and thus the biggest was 501.5.

Tom Beachy

P.S. If you are interested in participating in my genetics project, I will be posting some of the stuff at a later date.

11/2/2002 11:05:10 AM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

I got a 310 Eisenhauer and 382 Beachy in the post no worries about the 3 in those numbers here.BUT its because if you go back a generation theres 8s in front and I know the genetics are there.

11/2/2002 4:43:42 PM

colorado

Hey I got the 310 and 382 beachy also...310 846 calai x self, should have great color, and the 382 beachy looks like the 846 calai, not exactly, but still, good enough for me, thanks tom beachy and all others who donated these seeds
:)

11/2/2002 5:02:05 PM

Long Island,New York

Hmmm... I also saw how someone got a 900plus lber from the 300 Mongeon....a 940 from a 455, ,there's a couple 1000plus lbers grown this year from 500-600 seed stock. One of the best ever was less than 600....the 567mombert....genes are genes......G

11/2/2002 5:46:21 PM

colorado

someone also grew a 900+ on the 310 eisenhaur, right????

11/2/2002 6:11:41 PM

derry n.h u.s.a.

Steve,Don Eisenhaur grew a 937 from his 310,said it was the fastest growing pumpkin he's ever grown,got a bad stem split along the way,and headed south on him.Thats always a bummer,but who knows what could have been if it stayed solid?

11/2/2002 6:26:37 PM

Puyallup, WA

Oh man....I just knew that if I raised the genetics issue and probability, I'd have the entire pumpkin world "on my case"!
It really doesn't matter if Don did grow a 937 lb. "splitter" from his 310! You still will not see Charlie, Geneva, Craig, Al, Steve, Ben, Kirk or Joel standing in line to grow the 310 next year! I'll wager that the 310 Eisenhaur will not be listed on any auction
from a regional AG growers organization.
Remember, I am NOT saying that a "big one" cannot come from a "smaller pumpkin" with good genetics. Because we all know that it does happen! It just has a smaller probability of it happening. That is why the "heavy hitters" will only grow "proven seed"....seed that has grown five- one thousand pounders last year will always be taken over one that has grown only one 7-900 pounder! Look what happened to the Kuhn 712 seed last year. Jim grew a 1020....Bruce Whittier grew a 1061 and a 1131. Three 1K fruit from one seed in it's first year ....and the stampede was on! Why???
Are the people who paid $60-$200 for that seed "crazy"?

11/2/2002 7:39:19 PM

Deer Park WA

No, Not Crazy Stan, they just want to improve their chances like we all do. I will agree it is esential to get the best proven genetics/seed possible. But remember it wil not achieve it's full potential unless YOU the grower give it everything it desires.... I have seen a ton of PRIME seeds go to waste in puny little 100 sqft plots, or totaly unimproved clay death holes. It makes me sad to see this, it's like trying to make a race car hit top speed while in nuetral............

11/2/2002 8:20:31 PM

Indiana

Stan, noone is jumping your case....LOL Just that you arent recognizing the real reason that the 310(or whatever seed) wont have as many big pumpkins because noone plants them.

Quote me on this too!!!! If the big guys planted my 382, or 503(only mentioning those 2 because I have results from them), they would produce a few 1000 lbers a year. Laugh all you want, I have data from first year growers(just ask Carlos what happens when a pumpkin grows 40 lbs in a night)

Tom Beachy

11/2/2002 9:49:30 PM

colorado

Really tom????? Wel, think about the 455 andrews compared to the 697 ciliberto, which one do/did heavyhitters grow.... I mean, a 954 and 940 isn't too shabby, imagine if you put it in the hands of geneva emmons, kirk mombert, dave stelts, bill bobier, etc... you might have seen a 1500lber by now...

11/2/2002 9:53:54 PM

colorado

and no, as a matter of fact, you may not see emmons, handy, mombert, kuhn, etc. lining up for the seed, just like the 723 bobier, did everyone line up to grow it in 2000, I don't think so, but when you are a heavyhitter, you don't really need to get in line, becasue I think heavyhitters know each other, and just a simple phone call will let them have the hot seeds at their hands.... What do you guys think....

11/2/2002 9:59:19 PM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

Those names that Stan mentions,If you got a phone call from one of them wanting a seed well lets just say you wouldn't ask them for a stamp.

11/3/2002 1:28:37 AM

Puyallup, WA

AXC....You get a BIG grin!!

11/3/2002 1:40:14 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Yo AXC...you mean you wouldn't ask them for their trading seed list?.....LOL

11/3/2002 6:49:41 AM

Amherst, WI

Very interesting post. I have a few questions, First of all isn't it illegal to sell AG seeds? How do these "silver bullets" sell for mucho denero if it is illegal to do so? Next, I've read several times that 1000+ pound seeds may not be as likely to produce 1000 lb pumpkins because as someone said "the genes are played out". I wouldn't know, but I look at it this way... If a 6' 2" tall man and his 6' tall wife have a son, he will very likely grow to be 6'6" or more himself. Now, if he and his 6' 3" bride have a son, will he grow to be a 7' man or will the "tall genes" be played out, and will he be 5' 10"? I know comparing people to pumpkins isn't the same, but isn't that the way genetics are passed on? No intent to offend anyone here, just some simple questions from a simple man.

11/3/2002 9:17:54 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Randooo, It's not illegal to sell seeds as long as the "patent" holder gets his cut...So I would say places that advertise seeds have an agreement with Mr. Dill and a simular agreement with the actually grower so Mr. Dill gets paid, the grower gets paid, P*P make a profit etc...Just guessing at the growers cut but patent royalties are common.
Genes don't get played out but are either recessive or dominant...sometimes a desirable trait becomes recessive and won't be seen until the proper sequence makes it dominant again...as simple as that...problem with pumpkins with 400 seeds is which one has the desired quality and can you get it to produce the same quality a high percentage of the time...All them ovaries, all that pollen tough to do.

11/3/2002 9:48:53 AM

Caceres, Spain

Oh my God, genetic is becaming a new Goddess!
I say: comparing DNA analysis of several pumpkin seeds, many times you can find more similarities among seeds from different plants than betwen sister seeds. Is the result of meiotic segretation. Much more important than to plant an 845 is microclimate, irrigation management, soil quality, good eye and better luck. Do not adore the numbers, a short number can have the best genetic and be just the result of a bad season or a bad luck.
As we say in Spain: ¡Con dos huevos!

11/3/2002 10:07:15 AM

Long Island,New York

Oh Boy...nice thread. As we say in Massapequa..."bacon con tres huevos !".lol. Using the AGGC site as a source of info, one can see that a number of large (900plus and 4-5 1000lbers)fruits have been grown from 1000lb seed stock.And, with the possible exception of 1-2 growers, ALL the big fruit were grown by growers who have already grown 1000lbers before. One can therefore propose (and I conclude) that 1000lbers have the genes to do it --it just has to be done right. My bet is that if you look at the sampling of attempts...as this thread originally proves as " new or inexperienvced growers want the heavy wieght seeds"...you will see that a large percent of the attempts at 1000lb seeds are novice attempts. This would obviously skew the results in an unfavorable light making the big seeds look "played out" or any number of other excuses. For years Ive heard "noone ever grew a 1000lber from a 1000lber seed....."thats no longer the caseand it only took having a great grower or a good grower in a great climate or a lucky grower in a good climate to grow it.The only way to compare seeds is to have the same people grow it the same way with all the things the same....put a 310lber in all the patches the 846 was in this year and then you'll see.....G

11/3/2002 10:26:25 AM

Long Island,New York

One can go on futher with this topic to discuss the fact that when planning you patch you will undoubtedly (guaranteed !) put the "proven" seed in the best location. It will have the best soil...best sun, a bit more room, better care and will be first on line for all your sprays.The others, maybe one of yours, maybe a less proven etc...will get less.More than likely it will be the pollinator also. You are skewing the gene pool before you know what your plant can do.
And we wont even go into the subject of why squash wieghts are low....heck...that one got planted at your grandma's house between the two concrete strips in the driveway....wonder why I only got a 400lb squash????

11/3/2002 10:33:53 AM

Puyallup, WA

Glenn....You, too, get a BIG grin!! However, we do not want this post to "evolve" into a squash vs. pumpkin thread....do we?
Let us remember that there are many, many 3-400# pumpkins with great parental genetics with will not/have not grown a 900 pounder. And there are fewer 900 pounders that that will not grow to their own weight.
I still stand by my formula...1/3 parental genetics, 1/3 grower/growing conditions, and 1/3 luck.....included in that "luck" is the "right" genetics in that particular seed as well as good weather.

11/3/2002 11:23:24 AM

Puyallup, WA

I apologize for not doing a better job at correcting the grammatical errors....Stan

11/3/2002 11:25:28 AM

Roanoke Il

Stan I agree with you on the 1/3 idea But I feel there has been alot of seeds offered here that have all the potential to be as good as or better than the 723 846 845 or 705 Just to name a few 707 Tofness 845 Nesbitt. And if big pumpkins seed page was the only place that the Heavy hitters could get that seed they would line up to get the seeds.
Next year if Glenn grows the 935 and crosses it with the 865 and olny gets a 300-600 lb er from it i will grow it the following year because the cross is proven not because the pumpkin weighed 723 or 845.
Big pumpkins seed page gives an opertunity for some lesser weighted seeds with the potential to grow as big of pumpkins as the 845 723 846. mark

11/3/2002 3:04:51 PM

colorado

and what would happen if none of the "little people" didn't try to prove some of the heavy hitter's seeds, would the heavy hitter's then have to resort to the seed page or what??????

11/3/2002 3:19:03 PM

Puyallup, WA

No.....they do what they are already doing. Trading among themselves.

11/3/2002 3:27:35 PM

colorado

So, you think that no heavyhitter would want the seeds from the seed distribution at all, not even a 310 eisenhaur or 382 beachy??????????

11/3/2002 3:41:22 PM

Montoursville, PA

Now I wish you all would extend the same space and intellegence into bed prep for 2003. If you really want to help many growers break the talk down to an eight hundred or thousand square foot patch. Over and over the story runs with condition of the patch first! Over and over we hear it appears to take a few years to really build the ultimate patch. Us kids need to hear it over and over as we try to sort out what it is we must do to get to ultimate patch conditions.

11/3/2002 4:18:19 PM

Ga.

Lets see,,,Mr Stelts done it in 2000....Male pollinator for the 1140.0 Stelts 2000 was the 435.0 Grindle 1999...

11/3/2002 6:37:39 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

Hello Growers,
If your a member of A.G.G.C.you will see that some, or most of the biggest pumpkins are grown from seeds in the 700 range. so you really don't always need seeds from 900 to 1,000 pound pumpkins

11/3/2002 7:54:49 PM

Choctaw, OK

i see my 40* est was mentioned by TomMan. Funny story behind that seed (the 40* est was a squash). The father to that fruit was the seed that grew my 762 back in 2000. I had so much curiosity to try it, and I did. It grew fast! but split on day 30 at 370 est. Grew it for 13 more days...ended up at 572.5 (very long white pumpkin). According to the Al eaton Projection equation, i was going to be around 987 when it was all said and done. The 572.5 was absolutely flawless inside, besides the split near the blossom end that did that fruit in.

look at the potential of a seed....many have it that dont get the chance. I think my 130, available on the free seedlist, would surprise someone, if they tried it.

Newer growers, like many on this site, is what gets seeds noticed. Thats what we need. Something has to replace the 846's and 723's, and 845's someday, after most of those have been grown. Grow the genetics that you like, if you cannot get a seed that is proven.

Case

11/3/2002 8:42:15 PM

Deer Park WA

Ok docgipe, Here is what I did with my new planting area (80 X 100 ft.) to get ready for 2003. First plowed the ground down 18 inches with a tilted back blade incorperating all the stubble and surface crap. Then I had 25 yards of rotted old cow manure delivered for 60 bucks!, and spread it out. I then collected 50 yards of leaves and piled them up with my garden left overs. I then cleaned out my 16x25 nasty old chicken coop and threw it on top of the compost pile, stirred well with the front loader and called it Fall. I will plant my own seeds from this season as well as several from other growers. I figgure with all the Mt St. Helens ash that was just below the surface and all the goodies from the land being fallow for 20 + years I should be able to do a few plants justice.

11/3/2002 8:52:53 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Speaking of seeds with great genetics/ Casey's 555 nueville was 825 Shymanski x 876.5 LLoyd. There is no reason this seed should not be putting out thousand pounders. Just needs to get planted by the right people.

11/3/2002 9:17:13 PM

Choctaw, OK

LOL...it looks good on paper...it hasnt done much at all.....my 555 that is. I think i have grown other fruit with better crosses than my 555...(i should really give them a chance!)

GLENN A......the 825 bug has finally died..lol.....i wont grow it again.

Case

11/3/2002 10:43:45 PM

Montoursville, PA

E Gads! Thank you indeed. I never was good at math but if I play my space into yours me thinks we are not that far apart. Penn State testing service reports by bar graph. My only add via their advisement is to add lime to 6.8PH and a tiny bit of N. 75 lbs per acre is a tiny bit. All else graphs to superior. Some of the things I've done will read better and more accurately in the spring. First year looking by estimate at this hour of about 10% humis. Fall leaf cover and rye still to go on or in. This cold snap caught me with me pants down. :) Me thinks I am in pretty good shape soilwise.

11/4/2002 7:43:58 PM

Montoursville, PA

Singleness of purpose is my ultimate goal next summer. I am going to camp and sleep on that patch and see if I can get a respectable fruit. You fellows have really fired and rekindled garden purpose for this old dog. Thank you all.
....The fun part is that no one else in this community has ever seen a huge pumpkin in real life. I went to Altoona.Pa and have not been sleeping well ever since. Mercy I gotta grow me one of those awsome thingies.

11/4/2002 8:08:05 PM

Western NY

hee hee, i always have to chuckle when i see a penn state test. EVERY one that they do which they are asked to give reccomendations for "pumpkins" comes bach with 75 pounds per acre of nitrogen. phosphate and potassium they will tweak, but every time, it's 75 for N. almost as funny as the one they gave a reccomendation of 13,000 pounds per acre of lime (that's about 300# per 1000 square feet) to correct a low pH. granted, the pH was the lowest i've ever seen in a soil test, and mathematically that is probably how much you would need to chemically change the pH to the high 6's, but it's just rediculous to reccomend that much lime, and without any suggested timetable to do it in.

11/4/2002 9:20:43 PM

Puyallup, WA

Andy....How low pH was "low"?

11/4/2002 9:51:27 PM

Western NY

4.6 it was in the spot where larry checkon grew his big watermelon this year.

11/5/2002 4:32:17 PM

Key West, FL

Is it a bad thing to add lots of lime at once like that?

11/5/2002 5:42:17 PM

New Brunswick

I have seeds drying from my 140 1/2 pounder, grown from a 190 pounder. I have been saving my seed for the past two years. Suppose I should just eat these seeds? Are they apt to produce even smaller pumpkins next year?

11/5/2002 8:31:59 PM

Western NY

generally, yes. i would try to make any large pH adjustment a long term goal (as in a year or two). too much of a shock to the system, and the critters in the soil don't like it.

Andy

11/5/2002 8:53:37 PM

Deer Park WA

I would lime the crap out of now and stir it in, then recheck it early spring. You probably will only want to bring it up about a half a point per application. I just check several soil samples from our new mini farm and the pH is right on at 6.5 to 6.9 I guess sometimes you get lucky! Now all I have to do is get the OM level way up. Catch 22 as they say.

11/5/2002 9:47:55 PM

Puyallup, WA

I agree with Gerry. I'd put on 150 lbs per 1000 sq.ft. this fall. Retest in March.
You are correct Gerry.....adding manure will really drop the pH....sure did on my patch!

11/5/2002 10:17:20 PM