CAN ANYONE PLANT *NOW*?
OK, FINALLY.....after a lot of my own testing and tons of other things I
have went through with my seeds, they are finally ready for some people out
there to grow them.
As you may remember, I had some CMV problems last year, and we went through
the debate of whether it could be transmitted to the next gen via seed.
There was some argument on this, but after consulting Dr. Eddleman, and a
few other experts off of the list, local county extension service, and a LOT
of others who have planted seeds from virus infected plants with no carry
over, the concensus seemed to be that it was not likely, it would be a rare
instance where this would happen. More likely the strains lack of resistance
to the virus would be carried over (if the father also was suceptable)
rather than the virus itself. I know Barb and a couple of others had really
strong feelings about this (to say the least) and I got bashed about this
when I was trying to talk scientifically about the whole situation, but as I
said I have went through A LOT about this with several other experts. Some
of you asked before WHY I didn't just dispose of the seeds and start again
the next year. Well, one reason is the individual genetic makeup. You may
think since there was a CMV problem that it automatically means a lack of
resistance, but actually this is not really true, actually more of the
opposite, (it would take a few dozen emails to explain). The genetics are
some of the best that exist in any seed today. (Technically, and
theoretically, anyway).
The seeds are 780 Eaton x 780 Mombert.
If you do extensive research on this, and genetic patterns, and a few dozen
other things on these strains, you will see why this cross is extremely
superior to most other seeds out there. My main cross didn't work as well,
which would have been the first semi-F1 "hybrid" A.G., because I was
crossing two of the top "purified" strains to combine complimentary
characteristics of each, (yep, the 567.5 strain, selfed, with each
successive gen getting better, with the 946.5 Geerts, also selfed). This of
course would produce me a bit of a weak plant and fruit, but superior hybrid
seed. Well the plants were surprisingly strong and vigorous (I grew several
of each strain and picked the two best of each for the actual cross), but
they got the CMV eventually, and were also planted late. The seeds from them
seem to be empty and probably not viable. However my 780 x 780 strain seeds
are very good and should be a VERY superior strain. (To say the least)!
I have seeds from the cross both ways. The 780 Eaton did get CMV eventually,
but the 780 Mombert was the only plant I had that NEVER had any signs of the
disease whatsoever, it was 100% clean. I did a leaf crush/pickling cucumber
test to verify it did not have any signs of the disease whatsover, while the
Eaton (used as a control) tested positive.
Now for the seeds....to put everyone's fear of the virus presence in the
seeds at ease, I did crush tests with the SEEDS. If there were any viruses
present in the seed material, it should have tested positive, ALL of the
seeds tested (4 seeds crused and mixed from each strain) tested NEGATIVE for
virus.
Now....FINALLY....it took way longer than I expected. I really wanted to get
all of this done and have seeds ready for growing for Austrailia and the
southern hemisphere over our winter to see how they perform. Then I figured
maybe in time for someone in tropical climates to grow. That is mainly who I
am looking for now.
If anyone can plant NOW, and want to try out my seeds, please let me know.
This will give some extra time to see how they perform before the northern
growing season starts. (2 months or so before May 1).
Now as one extra measure, even though all seeds tested NEGATIVE for virus, I
am ONLY offering seeds from the 780 Mombert plant which was completely clean
of the virus when growing. I never got to weigh any of the pumpkins
officially, but the 780 Mombert (x 780 Eaton) was estimated at about 300.
The low weight was because of the late planting, mainly,and really shouldn't
be factored much into the seeds genetics.
So if anyone wants to try these out, AND can plant right away, please let me
know as soon as possible and I can get some of the seeds out to you right
away. The genetic potential for these (780 Mombert x 780 Eaton) is EXTREMELY
good, (as if I even need to say that), so if you are willing to test them
out for the rest of us northern growers, please let me know.
Please email me here, or at SteveS012@aol.com
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! Thanks!
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