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Nova Scotia

i have planted a 600.5 gregory that had a bad start due to the fact the end of the seed was not mature making my starter leaves small 3" as well the first leaf is starting off small. then i have my own 626 (714 bobier self) which has it's starter leaves about 6" and thus a larger first leaf starting. then i have a few other seeds 1/2 way between these sizes. i will not remove any for some time but does size matter more than genetic potential at this point?

4/1/2004 3:25:19 PM

San Diego

nope, size doesn't matter:) Take the seed I'm growing this year, Dan Carlsons 724 (846 selfed). Dan grew it last year, he said it was the most tiny, slowest seedling he ever had. He almost dug it up it was so small. At 4 weeks, it took off and caught up to all his other plants. It was a smoking pumpkin hitting 500 lbs at day 32 or somewhere close. He harvested it early for a fair due to a small split somewhere. I'm sure it was going over 1000 if healthy. Size doesn't matter:) Jim

4/1/2004 5:11:44 PM

I agree. I had a 724 Carlson that was a slow starter as well (ended up culling it though)...so I think the slow starter thing is in the genes a bit, but maybe your slow starters have "fast catcher upper" genes too!

4/1/2004 5:42:12 PM

Spanish Ontario

HI MR T LAST YEAR as you remember 845 was slow but grew BIG JUST MY 2 CENT,S WORTH

4/1/2004 6:18:20 PM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

It is a matter of cotyledons and their nutrient reserv. When the first true leaf begin to work by its own (hand size) the plant should work normally. When it will be a big plant, you won't remember the slow beggining. The genes are there, and that is the most important and you'll see it when a young fruit begin to grow at an incredible speed.

Best of luck,

Carlos

4/2/2004 1:48:21 AM