Re: The beginning
Interesting stuff Marc--Harold Waterbury did that years ago and grew his
911. I was thinking that it would be a good idea to get out in the open
genetics that seem to be slow so some guy doesn't pull what could be a good
plant. But this defies logic --------I stopped comparing plants in a mound.
I thought I was really on to something years back when I noticed that you
really couldn't tell much looking at the plant---lets say no guarantees --
that some of the smaller seedlings ended up taking off after a long while.
I did some observations I put all my seedling in 3 gal pots and cut the
bottoms off and replaced with clear plastic. So I had the window to look at
my best rooter. I picked the one that looked like the best rooter and that
ended up being my PB. So I tried it again the following year with other
seeds and the Calai was slow both on top and in the root zone.........it was
the worst of all the plants----and yet ended the best plant latter. So what
did I learned hell you just can't tell and its best to research some of the
slow to go genes and characteristics---------I think that the Lloyd side is
slow to go and then grows and grows at fruit stage....MB
on 1/25/04 10:54 AM, Marc Sawtelle at clarion500@earthlink.net wrote:
> I have grown a 723 in 2000 [damaged plant, grew 252 {selfed} and
> 275 {selfed} and two others] and also a 845 [ grew a 713, only 40 viable
> seeds]. I have wondered the same thing, after watching both exhibiting
> the same 'slow and go' traits. The second time around [with the 845], I
> decided to play with a theory that perhaps it was tied into the way the
> plant channels its energy. Since pruning affects this, I decided to try
> something new, since it was set around the same time as my 712 but
> was behind in measurements by light years. I dead head my main 2
> secondary vines coming from the stump, allowed the side vines that
> were closest to the fruit area to grow into the space where I would have
> allowed the mains to grow. In the past, I believed in letting the back
> mains grow and let them and the main vine grow as long as they wished,
> and not dead head any of those 2 or 3 vines. When I cut back the 2 mains,
> I also tipped the main vine so it was forced to "V" off and grow a new main.
> I have been told since then by many, that the plant has done extremely well
> for them, after getting rid of most or all of those plant vines growing after
> the fruit. I noticed after half a week after doing this, that my daily OTT was
> out the roof on some days, several 20 LBS. a day gains, quite a few 25-30
> gains as well! Compared to the 712's gains, I was uncertain still if this was
> due to the genetics or the pruning method I used.
>
> I am still not sure after hearing your comments which one was the main
> factor, perhaps it was both!{?} Joze has a posting on big pumpkins which
> touched on this concept a little, and was a very informative thread! Since
> my 1064 Needham was also pruned similar to the way I pruned the 845 {and
> grew a 787 and 646 on it in 400 s.f., with NO SPLITS, mind you}, I think
> perhaps there is quite a bit linked to how you prune affects how fruit grows.
> I'd have loved to visit Quinn Werners patch last year to observe how he pruned
> his plants.
>
> Below is the link I mentioned, lots of good info on this, although the initial
> topic gets off track, all the postings that were made are all excellent, and
> one of the better threads I've read ... thanks.....
>
> Subject: Plant Size vs Fruit Size- more sink/source ramblin
> Post from General Discussion of the www.bigpumpkins,com web site
> http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=61746
>
> I'd also be very interested to hear more about other growers observations.
> Since
> I never could pinpoint what helped the 845 go from a has been plant to a 700+
> producer, I have no clear answers either, just more questions.
>
> "Madman"
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> -----------------------------
>
> From: Mike and Vickie Brock <vbrock@mcn.org>
> Subject: The beginning
>
> I believe we touched upon this years back. Its a very tricky situation that
> in the beginning it seems that certain genetics seem to be slow to go. And
> its damn near impossible to know whether its genetic or some other problem.
> I experienced it with the 846 Calai nearly tossed it but then decided to
> give it a competition match . The 846 was the slowest in the beginning and
> made up for lost time later. The 723 bobier seemed real slow.......are
> these common experiences?
>
> I noticed some of the offspring carry that slow to go trait-----but think
> that it would be helpful for others to comment . Also have noticed that the
> biggest burly plant is not always my best.........any thoughts and
> experiences........
>
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