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Norton, MA

To start my problems i only have room for two plants in 2004. But by the time I finish trading and buying this winter I'll have about 65 dif. seeds (don't laugh, 2nd year). I have some really good seeds and have 2 or 3 duplicates for many of them. Do i grow them indoors for the male flowers and freeze the pollen or keep the seeds to trade away next season or even grow in later years. Also how long can you freeze pollin and how d'ya do it. Thanks.

12/9/2003 7:31:32 PM

Puyallup, WA

Re.....frozen pollen? The man to ask is Lincoln Mettler.
He has pollen stored in liquid nitrogen for many years.

12/9/2003 7:59:04 PM

Deer Park WA

I think gr8pumpkin if I was in your shoes I would start 8 or so seeds in early spring and plant the best, strongest two in your patch. Screw trying to pollinate with year old pollen you want to get a whopper in this growing season why mess around with pollen that is degrading by the hour? Besides the "Male flowers" you will get grown inside will be spindly and weak at best, you want the full force of a mature plant pumping the man juice into those pistols for pollination. Now you can cut off males just prior to opening and store them for a day or two without any ill effects if the boys are scarce at the prime time. Just my 2-cents.

Gerry

12/9/2003 8:36:58 PM

Nova Scotia

i agree with gad. but i would start 8 early and 8 latter. just incase a freak storm or something wipe's you out. and i would plan what i think would be the best cross you could make from your seeds and start a couple each of these.

12/9/2003 9:05:04 PM

Webster, NY

Gad, would you start them in the ground, and then cull the weakest ones, or plant them in pots and put the storngest ones in the ground?

12/9/2003 9:17:45 PM

Indiana

I think starting 8 plants for 2 spots is a waste myself. Especially if the other 6 are good seeds. I can see maybe starting 4. Then 2 of your lesser seeds a week later. Then again I had about 50 plants that I ended up killing off this spring.

Tom Beachy

12/9/2003 11:39:40 PM

Deer Park WA

I always start my seeds indoors in pots at 3 day intervals, and then harden them off on the sunny porch. We have the green houses and planting holes ready for the first batch at the first true leaf stage. I plant two per green house (useualy have eliminated a couple of weaker ones by now). We then "evaluate" the dual plantings for a few weeks before culling to the final plant per green house. Tough choises, but it gives the grower a chance to evaluate the seedlings and hopefully make the best selections.

12/9/2003 11:41:39 PM

Woodburn, Indiana

keep 2 seeds. send the rest to me. :)

12/10/2003 8:03:28 AM

Kenyon, Mn.

send me a couple good ones...PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

12/10/2003 8:46:44 AM

Montoursville, PA

Stand blindfolded at the bottom of a set of steps. Give all 65 a fling into the air. Do this untill just four land on the fourth step. Germinate those four. Plant the two that look best to you.

Saves a lot of useless pondering. :)

12/11/2003 9:52:06 AM

[email protected]

Dowsing.

12/11/2003 11:23:12 AM

In the shade - PDX, OR

Put all 65 in a paper bag and do a random drawing.



Pull 4 and start em'.

Pull 2 more a week later for back ups.

12/11/2003 1:29:44 PM

Syracuse, NY

good idea from CEIS---label them though!
err, wait, they'd all stil be in their packets.....okay.

12/11/2003 4:26:19 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

Forget that random mess...research each seed on the AGGC or from the growers if you don't have access.
Look at what pumpkins went heavy OTC, which of those had a pollinator that also grew a pumpkin the same year and look for that pollinator that also grew a heavy OTC pumpkin...and then use your gut instincts if things are still close.
RESEARCH the seed!!! That's the whole purpose of the AGGC, to make informed and educated choices.
Your chances of success just greatly increased besides a throw in the air or bag method.
Do your homework and you'll do fine.

12/11/2003 4:46:10 PM