Re: New Ideas-Dec 25
Hi Al,
Congratulations on your world record.
Let me tell you about myself and my experience growing AG's. I am in my mid
50's and have been growing pumpkins for a good portion of my life. I use to
peruse the seed catalogs and get really excited when I would see pictures of
pumpkins that went over 100 lbs. Back then the choices were mostly
Hungarian Mammoth and Big Max. I held the state record in Utah for quite a
few years back in the late 80's, but then my career took me into the
business of growing hydroponics' tomatoes in very large greenhouses. (Five
different sites with over 130 acres under glass and plastic.) Now I am back
to being a nurseryman and know my growing skills are above average not only
technically but intuitively.
Several years ago I moved to Southeast Wisconsin and I started to grow
again. In 2003 my best was 520 lbs. despite a very dry summer and a million
cucumber beetles passing on all sorts of viruses This year the opposite
happend, we had an abnormally wet year and the patch that I had at the
nursery went under water about six times eventually killing or stunting the
plants. My best there was 377 but the nicest orange and shape I have ever
grown. This year I have scoped out a place that is fairly sandy, well
drained and I have access to water. So I am ready to give it a try again.
I do understand genetics and what you and Jack LaRue are trying to do. I
applaud both you gentelmen for this. I would very much like to be
considered for some seeds in order to carry out the crosses you are talking
about. I am a member of the Wisconsin growers, I can't remember the name of
the association - Something like Central Pumpkin Growers Association ???
Anyway, I hope that you will include me in your list of growers in order to
carry out these crosses. Sincerely, (Merry Christmas!)
Russel Stokes
8530 Coutnry View Lane
Burlington, WI 53105
262-539-3358
--- Original Message -----
From: "The Eatons" <eatrich@magma.ca>
To: "'The Group'" <pumpkins@hort.net>
Sent: Saturday, December 25, 2004 7:36 AM
Subject: New Ideas-Dec 25
> To: All giant pumpkin growers
>
>
>
> From: Jack La Rue & Al Eaton
>
>
>
> Subject: New Ideas
>
>
>
> Just a reminder: The list of growers who want to take part in the 1400
> project "New Ideas" is filling. We have room for a few more names and
> that's it. The list will be finalized soon.
>
>
>
> Again, for those who may have missed The Eaton December 15th
> posting, Al and I are offering seeds from our 1446 pound and 1420.5 pound
> pumpkins to a few growers who are willing to help us with a project. Al
and
> I want to bring the first two sound 1400 pound pumpkins together. Both
> fruit have awesome family trees. We want to bring these families
together.
> The 1446 is about 50% 846 Calai and 50% 723 Bobier. The 1420.5 is 50%
898
> Knauss, 25% 845 Bobier and 25% 846 Calai. This cross has just about all
you
> can give it size, color, long growing season, etc. Who knows what the
> offspring of these two crossed may produce. Anyway, we are looking for 10
> to 30 growers who have what it takes to get the best out of these two
> giants. If this project works out to be half as good as it looks on
paper,
> the next generation of giants may be just around the corner for all of us.
> This project should produce thousands of seeds for all AG growers. Al and
I
> are not doing this to make money. We want to promote the hobby/sport of
> growing these giants. My supply of the 1420.5 seeds is getting low. I am
> sure Al has the same problem. Before these seeds are gone we would like
to
> get a few into the hands of experienced growers who may improve on what Al
> and I got lucky enough to have this year. If you are interested please
> refer to the posting of The Eaton New Ideas on December 15, 2004 on the
> Mallorn list. Email Al Eaton or Jack La Rue and Cc the other.
>
> Criteria ---candidates must have a PB on AGGC (any category) and must live
> in one of the top 20 states/provinces listed on www.ipga.ws by TTA
>
> ---PB will be divided by the regional TTA to get an index number----if
there
> are surpluses of candidates we will reduce the list using the index
numbers.
>
> ---Candidates must have email
>
> ---Pumpkins are to be grown in 2005 and crossed both ways
>
> We wish all of you a very happy holiday season. Jack & Al
>
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