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Napa Ca.

I just found out i won the 1400 & 1300club entries in the spga raffle, but my excitement has somewhat diminished after reading Wayne Hackneys article on this site, (proven seeds)Are any of these seeds proven? Or have i made the most common rookie mistake, chasing the biggest seeds.I am planting only 4 of these.Any advice? (SPGA 1400)- (1458 whittier) (1446 eaton) (1432carlson/petersen) (1420larue) 1300--(1367.5 rose)(1337houghton) (1301.5 eaton) (1301.4 whittier) PGVC- (1157 deletas)(1123 deletas) (1144 hester)

3/30/2005 2:31:42 AM

Knopp, Germany

Sam, here is my take on this. All of the 2004 seeds that you won at the raffle have the potential to be great seeds. I would not suggest planting them this year though. My reason is that you already have proven seeds from the ones that you won to plant. The 2004 seeds will be grown by others for sure, after this year you will have a better idea of which of these 2004 seeds did well.

The 2003 seeds that you won have the following progeny:
1458 Whittier - 1089, 982 and 3 more from 721 - 873 pounds
1367.5 Rose - 1033 pounds
1337 Houghton - 12 AGs from 607 - 960 pounds
1301.5 Eaton - 2 over 1000 pounds and 5 from 606 - 912 pounds
1301.4 Whittier - 980, 738 and 523 pounds

So, you can see that you do have proven seeds. If however you are bound and determined to grow one or two of your 2004 seeds, then I would suggest you look at the 1420 (1104.4 x 1180) or the 1144 (846 x 1260.4), I love those crosses and am considering them for next year myself.

Rookie mistake? Maybe, might also be the best raffle you ever one, you'll know when this season is over.

Best of luck,
owen

3/30/2005 3:02:33 AM

Knopp, Germany

* best raffle you ever "won" not one

3/30/2005 3:04:02 AM

Ohio

Sam,

my opinion here,,,,,,,, The 1446, 1432 1420 and the 1144 Hester are going to be some GREAT seeds. The 1301.5 Eaton is already in the top 5 to 10 percentage in growing the biggest pumpkin.(Might be wrong on that,but if i am just blam that on ummmmmm,,, Blam it on Owen.)

3/30/2005 8:51:06 AM

Ohio

and you could also Blame it on Owen too.

3/30/2005 8:52:58 AM

Utah

I don't think "proven" is nearly as big of a consideration as it used to be. In my opinion there are so many seeds out there with great genetics behind them that they don't need to be proven. Their genetics prove them.
Look at what Jack LaRue did in 04 ... He planted a lot of 03 seeds, which by definition are not proven. But the genetics were there and he did well with them.
If you have a seed with great cross ... why not plant it now. Instead of waiting for someone else to do well with it- you do well with it.
If you ask me all of the 04 seeds that you won fall into this category. and the others are proven as Owen stated.

the 1432 Carlson/Petersen is a 1097 Beachy x self. The 1097 is proven ... so if you ask me, even though the 1432 has yet to be planted, the 1432 is proven also. The odds are very small that it be anything less than as good as or better than the 1097.
The 1144 Hester like Owen mentioned, a 846 Calai x 1260 Weir. It came from two of the best seeds ever. I think the 1144 will be a spectacular seed. And I plan on growing it this year.
I could go on with the other seeds you have... those are the two that I know well off the top of my head. And the others all have great genetics behind them too.
good luck choosing ! lol !
gordon

3/30/2005 3:13:15 PM

Napa Ca.

Thanks Owen, Brooks & Gordon for the advice. If i was to go with the following line-up- (1420 larue) (1144 hester) (1301 eaton) & (1432 carlson/petersen) would you self pollinate,or use the hester? Thanks again for your help. Samdog

3/30/2005 3:43:52 PM

Ohio

Gordon, your exactly right on what you said,But i cant get up the Gumption this year to plant a no-namer seed. Next year for sure I will cause they will all be my own seed im planting,,,,,,LOL.

(Ok maybe not all,,,,,,)

Brooks

3/30/2005 7:47:35 PM

Ohio

Samdog,

To tell you the truth on your cross question, I myself would cross any of them seeds with each other in no given order. Good luck with em!

Brooks

3/30/2005 7:49:31 PM

Napa Ca.

Thanks brooks, I hope that wasnt a dumb question, But i guess when im dealing with 04 seeds, i can try anything, and im either going to be famous or a goat. thanks again, Samdog

3/30/2005 8:17:38 PM

Greencastle, PA

I would personally cross everything with the 1144. Maybe self the 1420.
Tom

3/30/2005 9:11:31 PM

Knopp, Germany

Pollination, wow now there is a subject that is better left to the genetic gurus, maybe one of them will pipe in with some advice Sam. If not, then make a post under the genetics forum and list what yhou got and what you are considering.

One word of advice, think about what it is that you want to accomplish with the pollination. I.E., are you looking to make a cross that might produce progeney that will go heavy? Are you trying to refine something about a line (color, wall thickness, long stem, etc)? Of course you could always do the Eric thing, not sure how it goes something about crossing ugly with pretty...

Eric, how does that saying go again?

3/31/2005 1:00:06 AM

Knopp, Germany

I found it, this is a pretty cool and simple way of looking at things I think:

"Cross Big and Ugly by Orange and Lovely"....Quote from Eric Gerry

3/31/2005 1:08:13 AM

Napa Ca.

Looks like i have some research to do to find the good, bad & the ugly. As far as what i want to accomplish, anything bigger than my P.B.545 would be a success. Thanks, Samdog.

3/31/2005 2:01:11 PM

Utah

It it were me I would self the 1432 and the 1144.
hummm... Not sure what I'd do with the 1301 and 1420 ... I'd have to think about that some more.

3/31/2005 3:11:51 PM

Utah

Brooks,
I think it is easier to plant a 11xx or 14xx "no-name" seed than it is a 3xx, 5xx or even 8xx no-name seeds. To me that fact that the seeds came from a 1100+ lb fruit partly proves it...
of course you have to look at the male part of the cross too. but here we are looking at top growers who typically make the cross with another top notch seed.

3/31/2005 3:19:20 PM