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Michigan

Hi. I saw a show on my local PBS station the other day about all you nuts growning giant pumpkins and man does it look fun. I love gardening and this looks like just one more reason to spend even more time in the garden. Anyways I went to PandP seeds website and ordered some 723 Bobier offspring seed and AG1048 x 1007 cross seed. My question is does anyone have any experience with these two seed strains? I live in Michigan zone 5. Or does anyone have any suggestions on a good seed for my area? Where did all these numbers originally come from? Thanks

9/7/2007 1:19:12 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Quit while you still can...:) Throw the envelope in the garbage when it arrives and never look back :) this hobby will make you crazy. We do not consider ourselves nuts though thank you. The rest of the world is a little bit out of the pumpkin patch if you know what I mean. You need to contact some of the growers in your area. They have several weigh offs coming up soon. This is the best way to learn, get good seeds and network with a great group of people.

9/7/2007 1:42:39 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Welcome, the number is the weight of the pumpkin that the seeds came from and the name is the person that grew it. You got seeds from a 723 Bobier offspring which means they are second generation- the seeds came from a pumpkin that grew from a 723 seed so no telling if they'll be as good as the original. But chances are that they will grow you a big one. The original 723 Bobier seed is generally considered the 2nd best giant pumpkin seed in the world. A 1048 x 1007 cross would have the same genetic makeup of another very famous seed, the 898 Knauss. This cross also has great potential, however once again it would not be considered as desirable as a seed from the real 898. Originals of either of these two seeds could cost up to $700 or more PER SEED. One last note I hope you are not planning on having attractive looking orange pumpkins. The parentage of these two seed stocks does not have a good track record of producing pretty ones, just big and heavy.

9/7/2007 1:46:09 PM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

I agree with the above two posts. Welcome to this hobby. It is quite addicting as Shannon stated. There are a number of good Michigan growers who may be able to mentor you, and give you great seeds(not suggesting the seeds you have aren't great).

9/7/2007 2:05:31 PM

Washington

Rugerdooger, look on the diaries and find a MI grower near you. Email them using the envelop link on their diary page. The can help you a lot.

9/7/2007 8:36:32 PM

Minnesota

I'm finishing my first year of pumpkin growing, and I have learned tons by comming to this site. I made all kinds of mistakes this year, thankfully I had plenty of seeds given to me here by generous growers here. For the cost of postage for 2 bubble envelopes you can also get genetic seeds here that are among if not the best in the world simply by asking. Also, I think it goes Seeds, Soil, Sun & Feed.
P.S. If you go to the diary's Duster is offering free seeds, click on his email. Also dbhaskaran@aol.com (dbhaskaran) has a annual seed giveaway in november, you can email him. Also all you have to do here is ask and somebody usually offers to send you seeds.

9/8/2007 12:08:44 AM

Leamington, Ont.

Rugerdooger, if you need more seeds or have any questions e-mail me: savspada@yahoo.ca

I'm sort of in your area (depending where in MI you are..LOL)

Sav

9/8/2007 12:16:45 AM

Berlin,mi.(zuhlke2@hotmail.com)

Derec: I looked up your location on google earth. It looks like you are near the Grand Rapids area. There are some good growers over in that area.I will be hooking you up with some great seeds and lots of info. You still have time to turn back. LOL. Once you start growing these things you will be hooked for sure.

9/8/2007 7:28:48 AM