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Nipomo, California

As a veteran AG grower for the past 7 years I decided to tinker with trying a Burpee prizewinner this year for a change of pace. 700 lb AG's have been common for me to grow so I was curious as does anyone know what the biggest "prizewinner" weights have been? this year I'm shooting for beauty instead of the beast and want to try AG growing methods on a prizewinner, I'll report my succss/failures as time goes on.

5/26/2005 12:27:33 PM

North Smithfield, RI USA

But you also have Ags going too ?

5/26/2005 6:45:19 PM

Macomb County

I believe it's 400lbs and maybe a little more. I know Howard Dill's then 1981 world record's of 493.5lbs put an end to Burpee's hope for good and soon stopped offering their $10,000 prize for a new world's record using their strain. Hope that helps.

5/26/2005 6:56:52 PM

Oz

will the two mix?

5/26/2005 6:59:02 PM

Pumpkintown, SC

Yep, they'll cross, but, keep in mind, the Prizewinner is a Hybrid, so good luck having any clue what characteristics the seeds will produce, BF

5/26/2005 10:34:48 PM

Nipomo, California

I decided to only plant prizewinners. No AG for me this year. A typical AG for me would make it to 650. The local festival nearby always had a contest which I always won handily. The other growers always brought prizewinners. I actually overheard many times grumblings from growers and bystanders that mine should be disqualified because it is a squash and not a "true" pumpkin. So, as not to be one to ruffle anyones feathers, I have set out to try to "supercharge" a prizewinner to respectable size.

5/27/2005 11:48:43 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

An A.G. with great orange genetics might stop their grumbling. Of course shape can vary.
Best of luck to you!

5/27/2005 5:04:32 PM

North Smithfield, RI USA

Duffbeer-- Don't worry about others---You set the pace, let them catch you !!!

5/27/2005 6:36:01 PM

Oz

duff,,can i pre request some seed?

5/27/2005 8:03:44 PM

Pumpkintown, SC

Not to be the bearer of bad news(I seem to be doing this a lot lately), but, a Prizewinner isn't a "true" pumpkin either. Usually the Pepos are considered the only true pumpkins. Irregardless of color, the stem makes the difference. If it's hard, it's a pumpkin. If its spongy, its not. BF

5/27/2005 10:41:54 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

120 Frantz = (Prizewinner x 658 Emmons)
208 Little = (120 Frantz x 940 Mombert '98)
2004 crosses made with the 208 are (208 Little x 940 Mombert '00)...by me
500#+ by Mike Frantz is (208 Little x 869.5 Calai)

There may be more crosses made out there with the 208, but it's starting to become more requested from me by folks wanting the shape and color it produces (outstanding), coupled with the additional size potential. A very good cross with great color potential from what it's produced so far...a few more out there being planted this year as well.

5/28/2005 12:01:44 AM

[email protected]

BF speaks the truth.

Cucurbita maxima...soft stem....Squash
Cucubita pepo......hard stem....Pumpkin

Prizewinner, Big Max & Atlantic Giant are all C. maxima & technically belong to the same group of winter squash that includes Hubbard squash, etc.

We grow either orange or green Squash & then relabel them based on the resulting color. Human plant breeding & genetic manipulation at it's finest here folks.

5/28/2005 5:49:34 AM