Re: Long Gourds & Seeds

In a message dated 10/26/01 3:05:12 PM Eastern Daylight Time, info@gardeningexpress.co.uk writes:


A few years ago i grew some of these about 8 feet in length.  I wanted some for this year but the seed i got from p&p failed.  I contacted them about this but got no response, before i try there seeds again, i wondered if anyone on the list could spare me a few seeds, ideally i'd like them from 80"+ in length.  I hope this isn't too much of a tall order.  
Chris,

Our "Collins Long Gourd " seeds are excellent for quality and germination.  Often the seed company is blamed for conditions and circumstances they have no control over.  I developed the "Collins Long Gourd" for competitive growers and set a new world record in 1990 to initiate the variety.  It took 3 crosses and 5 selections to accomplish this.  Since that time my brother, Peter Waterman has set a new record of 110 5/8 inches (which is still listed by Guinness; I believe) in 1994.  He grew several excellent specimens this year, which were perfect representation of the variety.  Why would I send anyone anything but the best possible seed?  Come on!  Sometimes I get too busy to answer a folly of emails and I'm sorry that I cannot personally answer all the questions sent my way.  We try our best to provide the best possible seed every time we mail out an order.  We're not perfect, but, we sure try hard.  That's what competitive gardening is all about - there is no exact science to this as of yet, that I know about.  Let's all keep trying and stop the P & P bashing!

As for Kathie, you are too forceful to receive a response from me.  If your correspondence had not been so abusive and negative (and my time not so limited at that time of year) it may have made the difference.  I do grow several acres of vegetables without any help and this takes considerable time and commitment.  So, I'll give you another chance to be nice.  Send me an email and I'll respond with as much consideration as you give me.  We'll work it out!

This past month is the most demanding of the year with the weigh-off and acres of pumpkins to harvest and market.  So, seed orders take a little longer to get out.  We want to do it right and to do it right it takes a little longer this time of year.  Every time I get an email or call asking where my seeds are it takes more time off the clock.  This is October!  I have never not sent an order out.  The mail service is now being questioned for live plants and seed.  I think we'll be OK on this.  Today, I talked to several seedmen and the greatest concern is incoming mail and the safety of the people opening the mail (orders).  We will get through this!

Thank you,

Ray Waterman
P & P Seed Co
www.pandpseed.com
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