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Ohio

Is it me or does it seem that the auctions are not getting as much money for great named seeds like they was in years past? Maybe its because growers might be saving there money for Christmas or maybe its because there is just so many seeds to choose from now, for example, the 1225 Jutras and 1016 Daletas seed went real cheap, along with alot of other proven seeds. Seems like the non proven 07 seeds are going way more then the proven seeds are. Its a weird buyers market this year I think.

12/9/2007 5:06:40 AM

Webster, NY

My opinion, you are right that there are a lot of good seeds to choose from, and in the past there may have been a couple of auctions to get the seeds. Now there seems to be an auction a week and they all have great seeds. (supply and demand?)

Dave

12/9/2007 6:47:19 AM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Dave is right on. It is a buyer's market and people can actually be more choosy when looking for seeds. Compared to let's say even 5 years ago, there are more growers and the experienced growers have gotten better. Quality seeds are being made available to all growers either free or at bargain prices. I'm doubtful that this is just a trend, however, I think the elite growers will still stand out but a lot of growers at the beginner/intermediate level will be happy to get a quality cross such as 965 Pukos 07 ( 998.6Pukos x 1308.5Mckie )for example for $1.95. I think this may be a good thing, from a growers perspective. The number of proven seeds fetching high prices will probably continue to go down as the number of quality crosses rises. BUT, like any market, unforseen forces can come into play which could make everything I just said meaningless.

12/9/2007 7:46:52 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Also, some growers have come to realize they already possess great crosses. It's just that they weren't grown by Jutras, Pukos, Wallace, et al. I'm giving some of these crosses a chance this year. I still have some great Bosworth crosses from three years ago and might have decided on one for next year were it not for the generosity of Tom Privatera and his 893. It fits in with the remainder of next year's line-up. The great crosses are already out there without paying through the nose.

We all need to grow one of our own crosses or those of less famous growers. I'm sure Joe had no idea what kind of seed the 998 would be when it was grown or the Wallaces and their 1068 and 500. 500 pounds is not a large pumpkin, but theirs was a great cross. Thousands more out there just like it. The 811 or 993.5 Gerchy will probably never see soil outside my patch but, unless I grow it myself, it will never have a chance. Just another jar of seeds on the closet shelf.

12/9/2007 8:56:13 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

There's a REASON you made that great cross to begin with.

12/9/2007 8:57:48 AM

Cheyenne, Wyoming

I think the reason seed auction prices have fallen is because some of the people who are interested in spending $200 or $300 on seeds have chosen to buy one or two of the PGVG lots, and also just sent in $150 to the SNGPG group for their seeds.

With the exception of supporting the group with our money, why would I spend $150 or more to buy one top seed, when I can send in $150 to SNGPG and be in the drawing for a group of seeds, of which 10 maybe 20 seeds have just as good of genetic potential, maybe even more potential than a single high priced auction seed??

Combine the above opinion with the fact that many seeds are now showing that in the right conditions they will produce huge pumpkins. There is no reason to pay a large price to get a "special" seed, because now there are many, many "special" seeds out there. It seems that almost any seed out there that is crossed with a 723, 842, 845, 898 or the 1068 has the potential to be great. Growers are planting 125 pound and 227 pound pumpkin seeds and coming up with huge pumpkins.

12/9/2007 9:58:52 AM

Frankfort Ohio

The reason is both The Ecom, is bad for one the other id that everyone that growes and keeps good crosses should have at least some great geens for producing a Giant 14 to1600 lbs but to people are putting more money into there patches The Holliday is another to though.

12/9/2007 10:34:03 AM

Pinedale, WY

I remeber seeing in the heavy hitter thread, they listed their priorities and most of them went: soil, skill, sun, seed. With the seed being the end and the combination of a lot of good seeds, that may be causing it. Which essentially sums up whats been said.

12/9/2007 11:41:28 AM

Rexburg, Idaho

To those organizing the auctions I would like to make a suggestion. Get the information to the AGGC on the seeds you are advertizing. That is how I (and I suspect many other growers) get our information. But claims are made about seeds being proven by producing two pumpkin over 1500# ..... and nothing is listed in the AGGC either on the pumpkin itself let alone its progeny. Another example is that such and such seed produces dark orange colored pummpkins but no pictures are in the AGGC to see for ourselves.
I understand that there are issues that are beyond my understanding but the fact is that the AGGC has become a resource to go to get information from for selecting seeds. Spend some time, reconcile differences or what ever the case may be and get the information up to date. More information may lead to better prices/more bidders.

12/9/2007 8:49:43 PM

Good point Brian

12/9/2007 10:19:22 PM

Ohio

These are all good points here and make a lot of sense.

Alot of growers dont buy seeds from auctions and that's perfectly fine with the clubs Im sure, if you dont want to buy any seeds please remember to still support your clubs by making even a small donation, seed auctions is the big money makers for clubs and your weigh offs. I look at it this way, I'm getting a great seed and I'm supporting a great cause at the same time, if it wasn't for these auctions and the seeds they sell then there wouldn't be much of a weigh off. Remember to donate to your clubs!! (if you can afford it)

12/10/2007 5:36:28 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Carpe Diem, baby!

World's best website, not specifically about pumpkins -> http://mjperry.blogspot.com

(If you spend 30 days with the site above, you'll be smarter about all things economic than 99% of the population.)

Just my view... I may be right or wrong, but the level that it's currently at is much more healthy in the long run than $200+/package. Then again, I'd rather you guys sell 100 seeds individually for $10 each than one for $100. Think of the increase in money you'd make, and also get more seeds into more hands.

12/10/2007 10:42:20 AM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

Here is my thought,
Holiday season, gifts for the family is more important than seeds for myself.
Housing market, got to pay bills. Some of us are on really tight budgets, so donating may not be able to be done this yr? I have bided on a few seeds.
Spending money on improving the soil comes first.Fertilizer second, beer third, seeds fourth.Girlfriends x-mas gift(eh not too important)(lol)

Seed glut, How many seeds do you have? I have talked to growers that have 500 plus seeds,(WHy so gosh darn many??)
You can only plant a hand full of seeds a yr.

So many growers have seeds that they will never have room to plant. Maybe their wives said "Why the Hell are you spending 300 bucks on one seed?" This maybe a big factor that a lot of growers dont want to admit to.

This just my two cents worth.
capt

12/10/2007 12:24:24 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

I agree supply and demand, maybe we should think of limiting the seed auctions.

12/10/2007 12:25:32 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Well, if you limit auctions, that's the wrong way to fix it. Prices go higher and fewer seeds trade hands. The significant other still has issues with you paying $300 (or more) for a seed.

Clubs can make more money with more seeds trading hands, even if they go for $10 each. Everyone benefits. The diehards are going to put their $300 budget into 30 different top seeds and hedge their bets at which one will be the best. And an average Joe can put $40 in and take their best guess at four top seeds to grow next year.

I suppose it's not as exciting as an auction, though......

12/10/2007 1:25:16 PM