Last clone report...time for me to relax...at last

CLONE UPDATE:  2001 FINAL USA RESULTS AND NOTES
The "clone" experiment of 2001 has produced some interesting results. Propagating pumpkin plants throughout the winter months might seem like a lot of unnecessary work and effort to some. After keeping 2 different plants alive last winter, then actually sending cuttings made from these 2 plants to growers in different regions of the country to compare results, the effort and results of those involved made this first experiment a smashing success!
 
There are still many questions which are unanswered though, but all the information gained from this project has furthered the quest to grow and breed even larger pumpkins than ever before! Years from now, there will be many growers using pumpkin propagation to breed strains of pumpkins which never would exist otherwise! There are now seeds created from propagation methods which could possibly be the next 723 or 846 in a couple of years. That may be wishful thinking on my behalf, but I do not doubt someone will eventually create that "super strain" by propagating proven plants and using them the next season.
 
Those people involved which grew or attempted to grow the "clones", should get a large round of applause for the groundbreaking work they accomplished this year, regardless of the end results, as they all had to pay for the shipping costs, and some of the plants which were sent out may have been in better hands, had the Taliban terrorists been in charge of the overnight shipping.
 
The following data listed below details some of the things learned by this seasons project. I encourage those interested in learning more to e mail me for more information which I have not listed.
QUESTION # 1: Did anybody grow a pumpkin larger than what the propagated plant grew the season before?
 
The answer is no for the 746 clone, and yes for the 991 Hunt clone. 
 
There were several 500 pound plus pumpkins which were grown from the 746 Scherber clone, but nobody topped what Joe did the year before {which was 1009 from the same plant}. Len Stelpflug was the only person {besides my neighbor} who grew the 991 Hunt clone. Len grew a 561 pound pumpkin on one cutting, and a 391 pound pumpkin on another separate cutting. What I found interesting though, was the fact the cutting which grew the smaller pumpkin was nearly double in size than the cutting which grew his 561 pounder. The plant which Len was growing only produced a 354 pound pumpkin last year for the person who grew the plant from which the cutting was taken from.
 
Question # 2 : How many growers took part in the project, and where did they live? What were the final weights?
 
Listed are the growers, locations and results. Great job to everyone!
 
GERRY GADBERRY : {WASHINGTON}        519.5
TOM RORQUAL : {MARYLAND}                       NON- ALIVE
TOM BEACHY : {INDIANA}                                516
JIM KILBERT : {PENNSYLVANIA}              541
LEN STELPFLUG : {NEW YORK}               561/391
NIC WELTY : {OHIO}                             557.5
ALEX UMSTED : {NEW MEXICO}               NON- ALIVE
BILL BORSCHEID : {MINNESOTA}             NON- ALIVE
MARC SAWTELLE : {COLORADO}             592  
JOE SCHERBER : {COLORADO}                300 est.                 
.SCOTT LEWIS : {COLORADO}                238.6  
JAMES KANE : {COLORADO}                    NON- ALIVE
 
Question #3 : So what was the most important discovery learned by doing this experiment?
 
The best benefit noticed by the growers was that the clone plants produce male flowers long before any plants grown from seed. The first females of the season sometimes open with no male pollen available to use to pollinate. Also, the clone plants genetics and traits are already proven and known. A cross can be made without wondering if the father plant is going to later exhibit traits which would be deemed as undesirable to make seeds worthy of growing the next year. Since the male plant which is cloned and is being used as a "breeder" has already proved itself, making safer seed crosses can be done by way of propagation.
 
Question # 4 : So now what?
 
Good question! You got me! Looks like I'll be taking a back seat this next season, allowing someone else to take this idea and evolve it further. All I have in mind is to keep the plants alive I have going this winter {yes...I'm doing it again}, and try to make some seed crosses which will hopefully one day help me reach my personal goals! I have already a seed cross which should be worthy of trying out in 2002 for one of my 3 planned plants. The other 2 plants will also be plants grown from seed. I doubt I will grow any clones for my primary plants, but it will be nice to have a couple clones in the corner of the garden, just in case I need to use them. It's always nice to have a back up plant around in case of emergency... especially a clone!
Time for me to relax...at last.
 
"Madman Marc"
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