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Colorado

did any growers lose a big 1468 mid-way through the season? Just curious how this seed did for folks as there were less to hit the scales than I expected. Looks like a few were used as pollinator by a bunch of growers... Urena, Bryson, Sproule, Vunak, Vincent... did any of you guys have a good one going?

Aside from blowing my stump apart, mine was a great plant- maybe the best I've ever had.

10/24/2011 10:19:57 PM

Arden, NC

Same here Pete, great plant great vigor, had a good one going and lost it 4th week in August. When I cut it open the side walls were about a foot thick. Did not produce very many seeds. Would love to grow it again.

10/24/2011 10:42:19 PM

Coupeville WA

I think this seed was heavily planted this year.
There was discussion earlier re this seed.
When growers consider this seed, they will need to flip a coin. It looked to me as though about 50% of the reports earlier were of sterile plants that no females could be set. This is what happened to mine.
It probably is worth the gamble if you already have the seed. I probably would not put huge money into purchasing this seed at auction with those odds, but I was one of the ones that was sterile also.

10/25/2011 10:38:22 AM

Wi

There were not a lot of sterile 1468's unless I didn't hear from some growers. Based on what I sent out and where it was sent I'm guessing there were about 60 of them planted in 2011. Not sure I'd consider that a heavy planting, but I believe about 5-6 of them were sterile. So I'm thinking less than 10%.

I'm not going to sugar coat it. I don't think 1468 did as well as I'd have liked. There were some darn good growers that got fruit to the scale and they were not all that big. There were also lots of growers that had terribly unlucky seasons or just terrible luck with 1468 (Bryson's was doing great early for example). I'm sure it happens with all seeds to a point, but maybe next year it will do better. Obviously it should have at least 1800 in it somewhere.

Looking at what 1421 and 1161 has accomplished one has to think it's likely the most desireable cross made to this point genetics wise.

10/25/2011 11:30:37 AM

Mulino, Oregon

Sorry Chris, 1468 was sterile for me. No pollen and all fruit aborted at volleyball size. Plant was awesome however.

I do appreciate the opportunity to grow it however.

Jim

10/25/2011 11:42:24 AM

Coupeville WA

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=398641

I just drew my conclussions from Joze's post. I should have said many people (5-6<%50) had sterility issues.
If I had another seed, would I try agian...yes.
Will I pay several hundred dollars at auction for the attempt...no.
I think 60 seeds from the same momma, planted in the first year aout is heavily planted. You still have to love the cross and that the pollinator is from a WR pumpkin.

10/25/2011 11:45:03 AM

Colorado

Chris, do you know the details on Bryson's 1468 plant?

His 1657 cross looks great on paper (maybe one of the best out there this year in my opinion with all the WR genetics from the past few years), as it was one of the 1725s that got real big and didn't go light.

10/25/2011 1:04:11 PM

Wi

Pete I'm nearly certain he said it was as good as anything else in his patch early on then lost the plant to disease.

10/25/2011 2:50:26 PM

Quebec

Thats right Chris.

Jim

10/25/2011 6:46:39 PM

Leicester, NY

Very depressing and same results as Jim. Awesome plant, no pollen and could not set a pumpkin. Sorry Chris, but thanks for letting me give it a try. Joe P.

10/25/2011 7:32:38 PM

France

Awesome plant for me too and no problem at all with females and males. All the fruits has strictly the same very nice egg shape. Unfortunately, as Chris said, the terribly weather and the voles didn't help... The happy end is the cross 1468.5 x 1605.

10/26/2011 6:20:09 AM

Coupeville WA

Sorry, I had the wrong post above.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=398641

This is the link with Joze's discussion.

10/26/2011 9:17:42 AM

Ohio

Great plant, had plenty of great males and females. Went 19% heavy for me.

10/26/2011 5:19:14 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Venari,
Any pics of that fruit? I looked for your diary.....

10/26/2011 7:43:45 PM

Puyallup, WA

Not worth a hoot! The plant started out as a "runt" ...must have been a mutant! Anyways, I gave it to my buddy, Ron Barker, when it was 6" tall at four weeks. In fact, both Stevens(1140) plants did poorly. I've learned over the last 13 years that seeds from certain growers will not do well in my patch. I've tried some growers seeds up to seven consecutive years......nothing over 700-800# or they consistently split!!!

10/26/2011 8:13:11 PM

Nikiski, Alaska 99635

Great plant, put out a 1287, 4% heavy in 320 sq ft. Would definitely grow it again.

10/26/2011 10:38:41 PM

Ohio

WIZ.................you got some mail. Have a good one.

10/27/2011 3:57:57 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

ThankZ dude, that was very nice looking and totaly opposite of LM PeteZ in color and skin texture.....
Send me pics of your 1725 pollinator too. ThankZ

10/27/2011 10:46:11 AM

Ohio

You got more mail WIZ at same email addy. Have a good one.

10/27/2011 11:09:07 AM

Grand Rapids, MI

I was fortunate - this was a really good seed. Very nice plant, no problems. The fruit did not "appear" to be growing rapidly relative to the others but it was there at the end. Nice suprise at the scale: 1256# (20% heavy).

Very unique looking - had lots of positive comments on it. Ideally blocky, very lumpy ribs and all orange. I'll get a picture or two out at some point.

Crossed with 1725 Sweet. Pumpkin was white, ugly and blew up.

10/28/2011 4:47:23 PM