RE: Getting Started
Hey Jon,
I must disagree with you on one point below. It is not the size of the
pumpkin the seed came from, but the size of the pumpkins grown from that
seed. The growth potential of the seed is only related to its genetics, not
the size of the pumpkin it came from. A good example is the Bobier 723,
arguably one of the hottest seeds out there. People are not growing it
because it was a 723 pound pumpkin, but because the genetics in the seeds
produces 1000 pound pumpkins. If the seeds from a 300 pound pumpkin have
the same genetics, they could just as easily produce 1000 pound pumpkins.
This is rarely proven since most of the big hitters concentrate on known
seeds, but several people believe that the potential is in a lot of seeds
that have never been proven.
Having said that, I do agree that it is worth the money to get the premium
seeds if you are serious about growing AND looking for certain genetic
traits...size, shape, color, etc.; however, if you are just a beginner, the
common seeds will offer you the learning experience. You can get the
premium seeds next year if you get into it more (AND YOU PROBABLY WILL).
You can also send self addressed stamped bubble packs (SASBP) size 00 to any
of the growers on the list and they will provide you with good seeds. If
you are looking for specific genetic traits, ask...they may have something
that fits your desires that didn't make it to a weigh-off or the AGGC site.
That being said, look up the traits you want on the AGGC site
(http://aggc.1wh.com/aggc_main.asp) and you may find other growers to
request seeds from.
Good luck to all on achieving a new personal best this season!
-Gus
-----Original Message-----
From: Jon Ewing [j*@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2002 7:26 AM
To: pumpkins@hort.net
Subject: Re: Getting Started
On the common seed vs premium seed: The premium seed
guarantees the genetics you will be getting. A
comparable size pumpkin is more likely to be grown
from a seed that comes from a certain pumpkin. The
common seed comes from any atlantic giant which means
you may or may not end up with the size you want.
There are never any guarantees no matter how well you
grow your plants but you have a much better chance
with a seed that comes from a larger pumpkin and good
genetic background.
I grew a 697 dill last year and my pumpkin got to 450
before it split towards the end of August. It was my
first year growing. I would say genetics was a major
factor.
The premium seeds are definitely worth the small extra
amount. You could also probably get some good seeds
for the cost of shipping from people off the mailing
list. Hopefully I'll have some 1000 lber seeds (or
at least 750) to offer at the end of this season.
Check back in October.
--- MastaGardener@aol.com wrote:
> Hi..I'm also new to the mailing list. This is my
> first year growing pumpkins (taking on a new hobby)
> and I've realized I've already made quite a few
> mistakes. But I'm learning and planning for next
> season. I was checking out Don Langevin's How to
> Grow World Class Giant Pumpkins Volume 1 and 2
> online and I was curious if the second one was just
> an updated version of the first or does it start
> where the first one left off? Also, I'm looking for
> some feedback on Howard Dill's Premium Seed vs. his
> common pumpkin seed (if any) and when the Premium
> seed usually becomes available? Any help would be
> greatly appreciated.
>
> Steve
>
>
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