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Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

I've read some interesting posts on "sibbed' seeds. I was wondering if there is any documentation or research on which is better, sibbed or selfed. The 1450 wallace certainly grew some big ones and that was selfed. Any thoughts?

11/13/2007 9:14:00 PM

Pumpkintown, SC

Sibbed!

11/13/2007 9:31:43 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Andy, the 1450 Wallace was sibbed. The 1402.5 Bosworth 07 was selfed. I don't think we can say which is better, selfing or sibbing. If you self a "silver bullet" seed, I'd likely pick that over a sibbed seed from the same pumpkin.
The 603.5 Muller was a selfed 845 Nesbitt. It had great color, and produces offspring of great color. If you sibbed the 845 Nesbitt, you'd likely get offspring with less color than the 603.5 Muller. The 603.5 Muller may be a "silver bullet" seed for color, out of the 845 Nesbitt. I focus on color more than most, but I think you can likely apply the same reasoning for weight potential.

11/13/2007 9:54:13 PM

Cincinnati,OH

There is no way to tell at pollination time which would be better unless one of of the plants is already having problems. Lets say plant 1 grows 1,000 lbs and plant 2 only grows 500 lbs. I would want the seeds from plant 1 to be selfed.
But if plant 1 grows one 500 lbs and plant 2 grows one 1000 lbs. then I want plant 1 to be sibed.
So the advantage of a sib cross is if the pollinator plant did better than the mother plant.

11/13/2007 11:18:38 PM