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Western Pa.

It appears to me that there may be a new "trend" developing with some of the top growers.I may be wrong, but it seems that some of the big guys have unlimited supply of certain top seeds, while the average guy can't obtain the seed by requesting, unless they luck out and are able to buy one. I guess money talks, but I personally have a hard time spending much more than $25 for a pumpkin seed. I salute those top growers who share their seed willingly and graciously with anyone whom requests.I also realize that sometimes, requests overwhelm and deplete supplies. Your kindness is what makes this hobby so infectious.
Here's my proposition. There are many growers out there, whom have tried to grow a giant for years, but have been unable to because of "resources". (Land size,water, climate,etc.) Since I personally have more space than is needed for 1 or 2 plants, I have decided to attempt to grow a big pumpkin from a relatively "unknown" grower and seed. I urge anyone with the space, to put aside the thought of growing the next world record, and instead attempt to "prove" 1 plant from a 100-500# pumpkin. I think all AG seeds have potential, and I think by giving "the little guy" a chance, it would do much good for the pumpkin community.

respectfully submitted,

kilr

1/20/2003 1:39:32 PM

Deer Park, WI

Here Here Kilr! I raise my drink in toast of your proposal. What I get from your message is stop following the pack, and start leading it! We all know there are literally thousands of potentially great crosses out there, but for some reason most stick with the same ole same ole. I personally get annoyed with the same boring crosses, made by the same 5-6 seeds. Im gonna back kilr up on this one, and plead for others to grow unproven seeds. I took a completely unknown seed (568 andrews) and grew a 798lber in my first year of growing. This seed has me hooked, Ive never seen anything like it. The 711 Papez, in my garden, posted consecutive days of 35lbs/day growth! The fruit was on track for 950 plus, when it split cuz a sprinkler was accidentally left on. Im not promoting any seed in particular, just want to give the "little guy" his fair shake. I know of a few mega-potential crosses out there, that neeed to be grown, however, no heavy hitter has given them a chance. How'd you like to be the first?

1/20/2003 1:53:00 PM

Webster, NY

Kilr, I tend to agree. Try different seeds. I can't afford any of the "top seeds" but everyone I've asked seeds for has been kind enough to help me out. If I can get my soil right and avoid any major mistakes, I could do all right this year.

Dave

1/20/2003 4:05:07 PM

Caceres, Spain

Hey Jim, I believe you said the best idea I've read on the post since the beginning. This is good for many growers that wouldn't ever see their seeds planted but by themselves, BUT, which is much more important of course, it would be fabulous for the sport, because we all know about the good characteristics of many seeds, other way would be forgotten.
The only way a little grower has to prove his seeds is planting himself or having very good friends among the AGP community, and the result of this is a number of heavy hitters planting the 723 and the 846 in 2002, and a number of humble growers planting the 723 x 846 crosses they got.
And many great genetic lines lost in the cellars of Time.
Cheers.........Don

1/21/2003 12:51:47 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Okay Kilr, Although have had my problems with bugs, fungus and anything else that can go wrong have a new patch and am gonna try these two seeds to cross 610 Canniff and 534.8 Andrews. I have researched them back af far as I can on the AGGC site and they they seem to cross genetically at the 674.5 Waterman 1990...Amazingly folowing those genetic lines back the seeds pass through 500 gancarz 1987 (he has the NJ record at 816) ...and as far back and the trail ends at a 1986 Nesbitt seed. I just wanted to post this since I'm gonna try to learn as much as I can...G has already told me what he can was hoping some if the other guys can help with the canniff side...814 girgus selfed and if anyone has info on the 1986 Nesbitt seed...Thanks Chuck

1/21/2003 9:12:42 AM

Colorado Hail, CO. Elev. 5,900 FT

Thats it Kilr! Why do you think I'm trying to give away some of my top seeds? If someone can grow one of the crossed I'd like to make, well then, giving up a seed to entice them to do so is worth it. Too many good older seeds are going to waste.

1/21/2003 9:19:48 AM

Farmington, Utah

I'm growing 6 plants. 3 proven and 3 unproven. I have many proven seeds that I could plant instead of the unproven seeds. I'm looking for over the charts weight crosses and one cross 1092 X 845 that I hope is an improvement on the 805(HOPE). It would be cool if Casey's 494 or McCullum's 709 turn out to be one of those silver bullets for me and for them. Ive always tried to grow a few of the unproven or first year seeds. I traded my 865 Mettler to someone who is going to do a cross that I am looking for. I probably could have gotten more in the way of a trade if I was just looking to trade the seed, but that was not my objective. Good post Kilr

1/21/2003 10:33:29 AM