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Ontario

I was reading a great thread kind of buried under, Last Minute Seed Requests. I thought it of interest enough to give it it's own heading. Do you think it worth while to grow pumpkins simply for the seed? Does the fact that the mother plant was not pushed to all it's potential have any bearing on the seed quality? Does being pushed hurt the seed quality? I've got an open mind, let's hear some opinions and reasoning.

3/20/2003 3:45:50 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

As a friend so wisely pointed out to me..
If only the bigger pumpkins, those that recieved optimal care and environmental conditions, could produce the highest quality genetic seed, then only seed from big pumpkins could produce big pumpkins.
What about the little guys? Seen more than a few lil' ones throw very heavy..how could that be?
I don't believe genetics are altered for the worse because of poor environmental conditions. If anything, a degree of adaptation would be possibly passed along..somewhat like disease resistant genes.
Now a small, underdeveloped, immature pumpkin could easily produce poor seed. If the seed isn't mature then it's no good.
Genetics are genetics, they're passed along to both small and large pumpkins..as long as the seed is developed and mature.
Small pumpkin seed don't get grown as much..ergo, less production, and far fewer chances to prove out.
My humble opinion.

3/20/2003 4:54:26 PM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

I think that the gene combination in the new seed is a matter of luck. It can get the best of the father and the mother, or not. But maybe a bad moment, too hot, too cold, stress for insect attack, draught,... can make this short moment harder and the result can be worse. After that, doesn't matter wether the pumpkin reach 500 or 1200 lbs, the genes are fixed, they won't change. Other think could be the seed vigor, but not the adult plant and its fruit characteristics. Just my thoughts.

Don

3/21/2003 1:13:27 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

Don,
That thought lends itself to my theory that optimal pollination conditions may be of more importance than the overall environmental factors during the life of the plant and pumpkin, genetically speaking.

3/23/2003 9:29:02 AM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

Yes Kyle, completely agree with that idea.

Don

3/23/2003 2:49:42 PM

[email protected]

I agree with that theory.

Steve

3/23/2003 5:23:01 PM

Deer Park WA

No, I think if the "Envirommental conditions" are harsh the pumpkins seeds will modify their "survival" gene to adapt to their unique micro environment so long as it is with in the guidlines of its growing range; hot=small plant; cool&wet= big plant. I believe that to create a hybred seed stock would require optimal conditions for an already climatized +/- seed, crossed in the prime of the flowers lifespan, and then nurtured throughout the season.

3/24/2003 12:39:49 AM