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New York, Ny

Hi I am a business journalism student at NYU now working parttime for BusinessWeek.com as a reporter.

I went to a giant pumpkin grower festival in Cooperstown, NY and was really impressed. i felt compelled to do a story and use all my pictures taken there.
I see passionate growers exchanging seeds here, seeds that took them good deal of time and energy to come up..seems that some went so far as to read research papers on genetic studies..

i have few question here:

--did people buy seeds with certain genetic feature for gardening (not jsut pumpkin) from seed companies?
--Do you still buy seed from them? or exchanging seed among peer growers is good enough...

--are you aware of any seed companies seeking out amateur grower and try to buy his/her proprietary seed?

-what kind of impact the amateur growers and the competitive gardening sport have on seed companies, who used to have the monopoly over seeds?
--
your reply will save me and my story and all those lovely pictures of giant pumpkins.

any of your thoughts,comments are welcome...

(disclosure: i originally came from China which is a huge market for outstanding seeds from U.S...)

eva

[email protected]
[email protected]

10/23/2007 11:33:22 AM

Colo Springs CO

There are two people out there who can answer your questions, and you should really try to get ahold of them. Nic Welty and Tom Beachy
I'm sure they would be more than happy to help you. Try to look for beachyseeds.com for Toms email

Does anyone else know how to get ahold of these guys?

Madman

10/23/2007 11:51:21 AM

Somers, CT

There are companies that sell seeds. Some are legit, some are not. The best way to get seeds is from the grower or association if they get them from the grower.

Most seeds are purchased at auctions used to generate revenue for clubs. The money is used for prizes at weighoffs, charities and sometimes events.

Some growers started their own seed companies and use seeds from growers that are certified.

Geneically enhanced seeds of all sorts can be found with seed companies. Not sure their QC standards.

GP seeds are a bit different than what you would find with a seed company. Seen seeds in Home Depot but they are not as good as the seeds exchanged for free or bid on at auctions in most cases.

In most cases, the seed is worthless unless it can be traced. Seed companies cannot verify their seeds with the quantities they need to stay profitable.

For competitive growing, it is better to deal directly with the source or someone you trust.

If I do purchase other vegetable seeds I make sure I use a name I know from this sport. Better chance of getting something dependable.

10/23/2007 12:05:06 PM

New York, Ny

thank you so much Madman. i've sent an email to Tom Beachy.
Any idea how can i find Nic Welty?

10/23/2007 12:09:31 PM

New York, Ny

Hi Rob, thanks for your reply.
if the most reliable seeds for gardening is from peer growers and associations( and internet has made that swap easier than ever)--is it fair to say the big seed companies has lost to the growers and smaller seed companies started by amateur growers?
can you recommend one or two major associations as sources of seeds?

thanks...
eva

10/23/2007 12:16:51 PM

Colo Springs CO

Tom will know how to get ahold of Nic...Good luck with your article!

10/23/2007 12:26:11 PM

Minnesota

Your at the best site for atlantic giant pumpkins. Any questions we will be honored to answered. There is a lot of info just by using the site search at the top right corner of this page. Also be sure to look thru the diary's, at the diary's there is a envelope you can click on to email that grower if you like.

10/23/2007 12:49:48 PM

Greencastle, PA

eva,
Nic's most recent e-mail address is [email protected]. He can be elusive sometimes, so I'll tell him to watch for your e-mail. NYU debate is going down in February!

10/23/2007 1:34:00 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

It's all about trust...know your trader.. We spend a whole year planning,preparing, and anticipating the next growing season. I personally would not grow a seed if it did not come from a grower I knew.

10/23/2007 1:56:10 PM

New York, Ny

thanks heyyou,
do you grow giant pumpkin in new york, at your university? interesting. (which "NYU debate in feburary"? apparently there are too many of them here..)



seems that most giant pumpkin growers tend to get seed from other growers, but what about other competitive gardener?
is it true with most other growers as well?

10/23/2007 2:19:06 PM

Greencastle, PA

Not yet, but I'll probably find a way. We'll be at NYU February 1-2. This is the first time SJU has had a debate team in 12 years, so I have to instigate some rivalries for years to come. I'm still working on convincing one of my friends there to wear an SJU shirt to the debate.

Try contacting Glenn Andrews or Scott Armstrong if you're interested in seeing some local giant pumpkin patches. They're both from Long Island and grew 1100+ this year. Glenn also set a state record for squash.

Also, if you're interested interested in other crops, post something on the Other Gardening message board. There are a few giant corn, sunflower, watermelon, etc. growers on here. You just need to make a post that will surely catch their attention.

10/23/2007 2:53:36 PM

Hamburg, NY

P & P Seed Co. has been providing Atlantic Giant pumpkin and other giant vegetable seeds to growers and other seedhouses since 1984. Contact Ray Waterman [email protected]

10/23/2007 5:07:56 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Ray did you actually read his post?????

10/23/2007 11:16:23 PM

Sheridan . NY

just what G P world needs fake more Reebok's

10/25/2007 7:45:48 AM