Fw: Seed testing/Genetic Cross's

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Ben Boyton 
To: pumpkins@hort.net 
Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2003 7:39 PM
Subject: Seed testing/Genetic Cross's


Well I have just been given permission to use about half an acre for growing AG's. I just met Colin today, a retired farmer/former diary farmer, and he has 40 acres by the river with a irrigation licence. Water won't be a problem as he has plenty of spare pipes/sprinklers and a diesel pump to get it where needed. Should be room for 50-60 plants. Soil looks great, dark sandy loam, well worked! Should be able to add some fowl manure before planting. They will be grown for the easter show display and fruit will need to be mature by the 29th of March. So counting back 130 days would mean planting somewhere around 15th of November. 6 weeks away. I will be starting my competition plants at home in about 2 weeks time. 
Colin has a few retired friends who he said would be able to help out a bit, and he is very interested to see what can be grown. He grew a 230 pounder about 8 years ago....which was the best he had done. As a no care plant.
If anyone wants a seed tested, for colour or something like that I could throw a few in and see what pops up. Or if anyone wants a particular cross made I might be able to do it. I couldn't make any guarantee's though.... Basically the patch would get very little care at all, maybe some pruning and fruit positioning. I would put in a lot of effort at pollinating time though(early rises/evening flower covering).....but I would be guessing that most fruit grown would be open pollinated. I may not have the time...... Maybe nothing at all will grow? There will be no insect or disease treatment, wind breaks or misting etc. And we have a very hot summer coming up. Heat resistance would be tested to the maximum thats for sure.
All that awesome looking soil for use got me quite excited, I must admit.....lol. Colin said the ground is available, so I may as well give it a go! 


Email me if anyone want's a seed tested or cross made. I would probably plant 4 per mound to increase chances of one making it alive. If you want me to test a seed, no matter what it is I will put it in(small weight seeds/squash x pumpkin/ big max x AG / heat resistance testing!). All left over spaces I would plant out with my own 620 seeds, as I still have about 130 of them.

Ben Boyton

Sydney Australia

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