RE: seeds/experiment
You have inspired yet another thought...if we can get standardized record
sheets, we can compare data between our own plants to discover some of this
information. If 5-10 people grow the same seeds, these results can also be
compared.
My point here is if we have the methods for people to voluntarily record
information and a central 'database' to collect the information, we can
learn a lot just from growing the plants we have already chosen to plant.
One of my favorite theories is the 'home-grown' theory...that if a pumpkin
is grown in Canada or Washington, it generally does better in Northern
Climates, if grown in the Midwest, it grows better in that climate range,
etc. If we chose one seed for these experiments, I'm afraid someone is
going to be left with one plant that does real poorly. This would really
suck if they can only grow one or two plants.
The 50/50 and 771 experiments still prove valuable by creating a controlled
factor. But if we can all do a little paperwork, we could pool information
annually and see if any patterns emerge on any number of seeds, climates,
fertilizers, etc.
Another thought brought to you by:
-Gus
-----Original Message-----
From: Vickie Brock [v*@mcn.org]
Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2001 7:12 PM
To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
Subject: RE: seeds/experiment
I agree with Gus. Too many variables in 50 locatons. I have surveyed info
before only to end with alot of info that really doesn't tell you much
other than there is alot of variables. One of the key factors to the
size of AG's is their environment. Personally I think the gene pool is so
rich now that environment(soil,climate,grower) ......plays a huge roll in
what seeds will be taken to their genetic potential.
But there are things we can look at that might help us make better moves in
the patch.
First you have decide what you want to prove or look at. Keep it simple.
Like how many had their best fruit come from the first germinated. OR
better yet
What i really want to know is if we have clear plastic planters can we
find the most likely to succeed just by judging the early
roots..................
Another simple thing we can look at is soil temp .............what soil
temp Ag may prefer best............just as in germination we know they do
best 80-85.................it is possible they prefer a certain soil
temp.......................
The simple discovery of which way the main will grow was a great little
study and very beneficial to all.........i am sure there are many more
little tidbits that will help us improve..............
Another discovery might be that you might find what areas certain genetics
prefer but that is a long shot.....but there are subtle indicators for
some................MB
>I agree with the clones idea. Seed genetics vary from one seed to the
>next...the 'silver bullet' theory. We have the power to reasonably control
>genetics with clones. This would supply better information to the hobby.
>
>I must diverge from the thinking of regimented fertilizer, water, etc.
>though. While it would be a more accurate experiment, we would only get
>information on the effects of weather/geography on that particular strain
of
>pumpkin. Other factors would introduce error into these results, such as
>soil amendments, organics, etc that most of us do a little differently. I
>don't think it is feasible to conduct such an accurate experiment on
pumpkin
>growing because of the multitude of uncontrollable factors.
>
>I don't think we can come up with one definitive way to grow pumpkins
>'properly' anyway. With 50 people growing, you are bound to have many
>similar factors to compare individual growers against each other. This way
>we can find out more information with fewer restrictions. It would help
>each of us to modify or growing techniques to suit our individual needs.
>Growing Giants is a sport/hobby (read: FUN), that we can further along with
>experimentation, but I don't want to reduce it to a science.
>
>-Gus
>
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