From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Minnesota([email protected])

I keep changing my mind on what seeds I think I'll grow next year.
Once I think I have an idea for what I'll grow, I change my mind again. I will likely grow 3-4 A.G. plants next year. If I grow this, then, I shoud also grow that, to cross it with. Then I'll have to leave out that(UGGGHHH!!!!!).
Can anyone identify with this? Any words of wisdom?

Doug

11/22/2004 2:00:05 PM

Western NY

don't think about it too hard. historically speaking, my seed choices at this time of year are about 25% accurate to what actually grows i think. lots of times i changge my mind, and lots of seeds don't sprout, or i am forced into backups for some reason. i guess i'm not too got about picking a seed and sticking with it.

11/22/2004 2:03:54 PM

[email protected]

The proper identity is Human nature. It's OK. Try writing down your selections in Word or a handy note pad. Date each entry & honestly answer the question; "Why should I plant this seed?" at each entry. Like wise the genetic compliment for crosses. Change your mind as one would socks or underwear. Just keep better records. This is all part of the game.

11/22/2004 2:30:54 PM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

I know too well what you are talking about!

I can do 5 plants at the most in my competitive patch and a few more in a "test" patch in open field.

I have about 25 seeds (all proven over 1000lbs) that I would like to plant in my competitive patch but have to narrow it down to 5.

This will take all winter and sometimes I will even change my mind very close to planting time.

The first decision is wether to plant seeds that produce very orange ones that are probably not as big or seeds with top weight potential but worse color.

My heart favours the "orange" option :-). Such seeds are e.g. the 801.5 Stelts, 810 Dill, 869.5 Calai, 1370 Rose, 1230, 1016 and 961 Daletas, 1076 Werner, 1074 Calai, 1225 and 846 Jutras and many more.

But then there are seeds like the 845 Bobier, 842 Eaton, 805 Pukos, 735 Pukos, 1260 Weir, 582 Hester, 1097.5 Beachy, 1236 Eaton, 875 Dill, 783 Daletas, 712 Kuhn, 695 Handy and many more with the best weight potential one can imagine.

Now make a decision.... it is almost impossible! But it's also a nice way to spend the time during winter....

Martin

11/22/2004 2:31:49 PM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

But then, in the end, it makes absolutely no difference what seed I plant... I will get a 400 or 500 pounder from all of them, no matter how good they seem on paper :-)

This might be one reason why I choose the orange ones. Then I can at least say it's a pretty pumpkin!

11/22/2004 2:36:47 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Martin,
I lean towards orange as well.
I'm currently(I stress currently) thinking of making a cross that will result in shiny orange, heavy(thick walled) pumpkins. Orange is great, but it's the shine that really makes the pumpkin stand out IMO. Thick walls is icing on the cake.
The MN state record would be awesome(1083 lbs., I think), but I don't think my soil will be up to that yet. But you never know in a good growing year? I'm thinking of growing the 996 Bobier for a large weighoff specimen. It's one of the few seeds I have.
I'll be a second year grower, and don't have the seed delema, you have Martin.
It makes me think twice, about buying at auction. I'd have to be pretty sure I'd use that seed in the near future.
Thanks for all the replies so far!

Doug

11/22/2004 3:03:41 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

We all do it, roll with it. You might change your mind just a couple of days before you plan to germinate.
I spend literally all Winter researching seed, my second hobby.

11/22/2004 3:09:39 PM

Itzetown City

Martin, what a modesty, only 400 or 500#? Why not more, as the most of us growers wish to get?

11/22/2004 3:12:45 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

I was thinking the same Martin.
You had a very cool summer, like us Minnesotans. I'm hoping MN and Germany get awesome growing weather next year. If so, maybe we both can get to 800lbs., or dare I say 1000lbs.?

Doug

11/22/2004 3:35:51 PM

I'm with Gordon... GO UTES!

Do what I do... keep your Palm Pilot handy, in your front
pocket... whenever a thought strikes you (several times a day)
jot it down, keep an active list of the top 5 candidates and
top 5 backups... plan crosses... then pads of paper with
colored writing instruments to diagram where everything will
go... I once spent a whole flight from Europe to the US
doing this...

Then wait for that May windstorm or June freeze that ruin
everything.

Lotsa fun. ;-)

11/22/2004 3:49:33 PM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

Doug, Werner,

I had high hopes for 2003 and 2004 before the growing season.
But then, in 2003 we got the hottest summer on record and my plant really suffered from it and the fruit matured early.
In 2004 we got a very cold summer (the coldest I can remember but probably not a record) and things were just the opposite.

I can honestly say that I did everything as good as I could in 2003 and 2004 concerning soil, fertilizer, etc. so I don't think I can do that any better next year and I am sure that I had hit 800 to 1000lbs with my growing methods if we had had better weather.

So, my hopes for the next year are pretty moderate as I am sure weather won't cooperate again in whatever way.
Of course I hope for 800 to 1000lbs again but am not too excited so that I won't be too depressed if I fail again...

Martin

11/22/2004 5:31:35 PM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Martin, with all those great seeds and your hopes are for 4-500#. Man, with seeds like that, I'd be shooting for the stars. If your figuring on growing only 4-500#ers with those seeds, than ship the good seeds over to me and I'll send you a bunch that I guarantee will grow 4-500# and probably bigger.

Phil

11/22/2004 7:37:27 PM

Wichita, KS

I did that last year, I'm not wasting my time this year. 7 plants all together. First 5 will be 659 Troy 03, last two will be green, most likely 697.5 Pearce. The only hint of indecision I have is because I have a single 1458 Whittier. I might plant that and cross it with a troy plant and with the pearce plant (which is already a selfed seed), and self it.

So out of 7 plants, I am only undecided on 1. :-D

11/22/2004 8:42:15 PM

Deer Park WA

Dang seeds, I get my list all in order and then wham! the clubs start stirring the pot by sending out all their members seeds.... I should just grow an 880 Bortner next to a couple * plants so I wont cry when it splits! LMAO Ben.

11/23/2004 12:24:38 AM

I'm with Gordon... GO UTES!

Only undecided on 1....TODAY!!! (lol)

11/23/2004 11:18:37 AM

Manchester,N.H.

Every day it gets harder and harder to decide.The more seeds I get the more possibilities there are.

11/23/2004 8:06:48 PM