From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Beaver Dam, WI

Looking at the online posts and the action on the seed auctions, there doesn't seem to be as much attention being paid to the 2497 as I think there should. Looking at the Personal Best, OTT,Heavy and genetics....it keeps bubbling to the top of all my analysis. What are other's thoughts about the 2497?

12/26/2023 5:45:00 PM

Ontario

Every seed cross looks good on paper.
Not every seed cross works out.
that is why most growers go after proven seeds.

12/26/2023 9:44:51 PM

Brooktondale, New York

4th largest of 2023, strong 1885 genetics, 7 percent heavy every seed on this planet was unproven at one point. Based on "paper" it would be equal to the 2200 everyone is chasing for two hundo. No one really knows until it is grown. Roll the dice, grow it, have fun that's all that matters.

12/27/2023 3:07:16 AM

Torrance, Ca.

I hate that part Jay, but I feel the same way and only plant proven seeds because of my small growing area.

On paper so many seeds look out of this world, but we don't know until a few get planted how well each seed is. Imagine all the world record breaking seeds that go unplanted!! I was speaking about this with a friend the other day. There's been 1000's of seeds that have gone unplanted over the years that I'm sure hold the power to grow a world record.

That being said, my eyes are on Ron's 2497 for next season! On top of being one of the nicest growers out there!:)

So happy to see you in the dirt again Ron!

12/27/2023 9:47:46 AM

Syracuse, NY

McCougars - Pay attention to that seed and there've been plenty of times I have NOT bought a current-year seed because it was not ever even PLANTED yet...(200-400-800 based purely upon conjecture, lol) and the following year it created a new record somewhere else for someone else, lol. SO, multiple schools of thought on that and I agree most with the aboves but if they ever redo 'The Blob'? >>> great movie poster material, lol. Hey, all its parameters are greater than mine! Auction up! eg

12/27/2023 10:01:58 AM

valtierra/spain

I saw that pumpkin live, on Friday night at the Half Moon Bay dinner, while Kennedy and Root, drank beers, and watched American football, I was giving it looking at it from all sides, and touching it gently, I knew it was 7-8% heavy for sure, and if I had not had the flower sunken, easily 12%. I really like that genetics, a lot. The Shape was identical to my 2183. On paper, I think it will be big and heavy genetics.

12/27/2023 12:51:13 PM

Colorado

Me likey. The fact that they grow in the hot central valley transfers well to my hot denver weather. I also like the genes in the pollinator. Definately great on paper.

12/27/2023 1:59:27 PM

Iowa

Seems like a "proven" seed has more to do with who grew it vs actual genetic potential. As mentioned before a lot of good crosses out there never get a chance. Using the new record producing 2365 as an example, half the pumpkins that have been recorded from it are under 1800 lbs. Don't believe all those seeds were duds compared to the ones that went over a ton, but more likely environmental factors played into them not achieving top end weights. Given that we try to support the local clubs each year and try to pick out a cross that looks good on paper to bid on during the auctions. If it turns into a proven seed down the road, great but you may be waiting a year or two before it achieves that status and will be a lot harder to acquire at that time. If you look at the results for some of the hottest seeds at the auctions last year many only have one or two results if any at all posted this year. That being said, have only bought one lot so far this year and it was the Root-Kennedy, lol.

12/27/2023 9:14:34 PM

Fair Oaks, CA

It’s great to see the discussion around growing proven versus unproven. I think Lunker has a really good point about how a proven seed has more to do with the grower/environmental factors.

I know the 2365 has been grown a lot by many growers, many well seasoned, however only one of the pumpkins has been over pounds off of it being Travis’ WR.

On the other hand the 2560 has been grown a small fair amount and had one at 2497 and Charlie’s at 2501.

Ron and I have diverse opinions on the topic, but I’m from the school of thought of liking to “prove” the seeds and take a risk.

12/27/2023 9:54:24 PM

Wisconsin

I think it will be a good one!

12/28/2023 12:32:35 PM

Ct

There are several 2497s in tonight's CTGPGC Auction. And also note Ron and Nick's offer for the heaviest pumpkin grown in 2024 from their two seeds - 2497 & 2036.

1/5/2024 1:05:47 PM

Brandon,WI.

Go with what makes you happy! I took a chance on a 1300 gienger UOW,looking at the genetics thought it had great potential, well it didn't let me down.That's what makes this hobby so great,good people, great seeds, a bit of hard work and help from above,and the crowd loving a big orange pumpkin.go with what makes your heart content.Who's gonna grow the next BIG ONE???

1/5/2024 4:57:41 PM