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Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

I have a minor dilemna on my hands with the seedlings I'm growing. I have two healthy looking plants growing, and I can't decide which to keep and which to cull. My choices are the following:

#1: 621 PLEY 2004 (845 Bobier X 842 Eaton). This seed was grown fairly locally, and had the best roots when they were transplanted into the garden. The first tru leaf is also the largest.

#2: 1083 FRANTZ 2004 (842 Eaton X 1225 Jutras). This was my original #1 choice, because I love the genetics. If I could have picked a cross that I'd want to grow, this would have been it. When it was transplanted, the roots weren't as strong looking as the 621, but it does have a 2 day head start and has already thrown up a third leaf.

Pictures of both are in my diary. Place your votes, I can only keep one, unfortunately. What criteria would you use to decide?

5/13/2005 9:52:14 PM

Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

Pics in the diary should be up shortly, and both are the same scale...

5/13/2005 10:03:01 PM

Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

Sorry, Southern, I know how much you like seedling photos, but I need help!!

5/13/2005 10:04:12 PM

Deer Park WA

I would keep the more vigerous of the two (the one on left I believe). I never plant two that close together because you dont have time to evaluate if either of them will flat vine untill its too late...

5/13/2005 11:04:51 PM

Sioux Falls, SD [email protected]

If they're 2 ft apart, you have a couple weeks to decide
Pick the vigorous vine

5/14/2005 12:12:02 AM

Indiana

I always pick the one I like the genetics on. I have had some weak weak plants produce big pumpkins, and perhaps the most vigorous plant I have ever had produce nothing.

I am not in the business of growing lettuce.......

Tom

5/14/2005 1:53:15 AM

Ohio

Hoops,I'd have to agree with Tommy ,But you could flip a coin and let me call?or just let me flip it, Heads its the 1083,tails is the 621,,,,Here it goes,,,,Ill call it in the air,I'll type it in while its in the air,,,*FLIP*,,,,,,I CALL TAILS!,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, tails it is Hoops,,,,

5/14/2005 5:05:48 AM

Ohio

I like the 1083 better though Hoop.

5/14/2005 5:11:49 AM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

I'd go with the 1083.

5/14/2005 5:13:32 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

Ahhhhh Law!!!
(love those seedlings man)

5/14/2005 7:04:53 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

PS...Thanks for the 1144, it arrived safely and has sprouted a little seedling, wanna see it?

5/14/2005 7:05:58 AM

In the shade - PDX, OR

Hold off for a week or more.

5/15/2005 2:40:30 AM

Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

Thanks guys, so far voting wise, it's 1083-3, 621-2, but I'll wait a couple weeks until they start vining before I cut one off at the soil.

5/15/2005 11:52:00 AM

Halifax, Nova Scotia

I say go with the local seed, the 621, and my vote has nothing to do with the fact that I was considering planting it this year and really want to see what it can do.

5/15/2005 3:22:42 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

James, go with the 621. That way you can watch the progess of yours and the one in my neighbour Brian's patch. If that is just too much pressure, then go with the 1083. Your call dude!!

5/16/2005 2:30:23 AM

No Place Special

Decisions, decisions, decisions! Man you got a tough choice here. On one hand I agree with choosing the local seed stock as I feel there is much to be said about growing a local seed. On the other hand I always like to go with what my heart and gut tell me to do. I back up what Beachy said about growing fruit not lettuce. In 03’ I grew an 804 Carlson plant (846 x Self) that was just the slowest growing thing on earth. Man I gave Dan Carlson so much crap about that plant all season long! It was so inferior in size and growth to everything else that I pretty much abandoned it. Long story short, it produced my new Personal Best that year.

I have two 1083 plants going right now for early State Fair contests. The plants were quick to germinate but average growth for the first 3 weeks. Now they are kicking it into high gear and growing very quickly, easy to manage and look very nice. One is about 7’ long and the other 5’. I will try to post diary pics of them soon.

PS… When I take a 1200+ lber off them to the Indiana State Fair this August, you will be kicking yourself if you had culled the 1083! Im glad its you decision and not mine!!! Best of luck to you regardless of your choice.

Cough cough …1083…. Cough cough…. Sorry just had to clear my throat.

MF

5/16/2005 12:38:54 PM

No Place Special

I agree, wait until they put out a vine until you cut one. Id wait until the vines are on the ground incase something happens in the lay down process. If they are 2' apart that is plenty in my opinion. Best of luck and hope you get a monster this year!

MF

5/16/2005 12:43:21 PM