From

Location

Message

Date Posted

colorado

Joe Ailts, Nic Welty, Tom Beachy, and all others who have any comment, please... Do small pumpkins produce seeds with full genetic potential, or are they missing some genes? Thanks, Steve

9/30/2003 8:17:54 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Steve didn't they all start from basicaly the same pumpkin. Genes are genes. Take a deer for example... A one year old buck has the same genes as that massive racked 5 year old deer. Joe will explain this better.

9/30/2003 8:24:13 PM

if ya feed a kid he'll get big and fat. if ya don't feed the same exact kid, he'll be skinny. same concept. it's what's on the inside that matters.

9/30/2003 8:35:13 PM

Morris, Connecticut

I think it depends. I think a 300lb pumpkin set on a secondary vine in mid August on a plant with good genetics would have great potential. Especially if a monster was growing on the same plant and a good cross was made. At the same time, I think a 300lb pumpkin set at the normal time, on the main vine would have poor potential regardless of the plants background.

9/30/2003 8:42:36 PM

Mulino, Oregon

Some growers would argue that the second biggest pumpkin on the plant has produced the largest offspring. Hmmmmmm

10/1/2003 12:37:18 AM

Western Pa.

I have a "neglected patch" which I mainly use for pollinating, but it also turns out a few 100-200#ers with excellent genetics. I may be the only one whom ever grows them, but I believe they still have the genes and potential for a big one, if cared for!

10/1/2003 8:01:24 AM

Deer Park, WI

steve...this will be the year that growers will prove that seeds from small fruit will produce Hyooooooge fruit. The only thing missing genes is the person who believes these seeds wont produce. All the DNA is there. Here's the explanation: THe size of a pumpkin is dependent on to factors, nature and nurture. You've heard it all before. Genes and environment are the only things at work here. If you have a good cross, you've fulfilled 50% of the equation. Now, if the fruit doesnt grow big, its cuz of the other 50% of that equation, environment. Im going to make a very general statement here, and I know the ladies can back me up on this one....bigger isnt always better. ;)

10/1/2003 8:58:38 AM

Indiana

Wonder who Joe is talking about there ;-)

Tom Beachy

10/1/2003 10:00:16 AM

Utah

i'd love to comment but everybody is pretty much on track with what they have said. I think everyones examples and thoughts especailly Big Wheels example are right on.

10/1/2003 10:37:25 AM

Puyallup, WA

Given the choice between planting a seed from a small "proven performer" and a small pumpkin with same "highly rated parentage", I'll take the "proven performer" every time!!

10/1/2003 11:15:11 AM