From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Bemidji Minnesota

I was just reading some old threads, and noticed that 998.6, has been now mixed with both of two of the best looking pumpkins ever.

There is a good list, however I think that 1159 Richards, and 1225.4 Jutras, both would make the short list of best looking pumpkins ever grown.

The 1159 is 919 x 998.6, and the 1689 itself is 998.6 x 1225.4 Jutras.

I can't help but wonder if one of those may make a Red pumpkin with really good shape, crossing the 1500 pound barrier, or even make a new WR in the next few years in the right hands?

I notice that the really pretty looking ones, tend to be about a season or two behing the salmon giants that take the records for those years. Although the 1689 had excellent shape, it still did not have the color of the 1225.4 for example.

Kind of like, say one year the record is now xxxx weight, and the best looking ones of size, will be xxxx -100 pounds.

The next season the good looking ones will show up at xxxx weight, however the record holders are now moved on to xxxx+200, and it will take another season for beauties to hit the xxxx+200, however then the records will have moved on too and so on.

So will that pattern even be broken with a good shaped, red/orange fruit that will ever take the Crown, or will they always just be a season or two behind the salmon colored monsters?

4/24/2008 1:26:30 AM

Bemidji Minnesota

Hmm, forgot to add, the 1317 Rose, correct me If I'm wrong, but I think that was a 1370 crossed with a 998.6 too. The 1317 was a very nice dark orange, and about as perfect as "classic" shape gets too.

4/24/2008 3:55:20 AM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

Meathead,
I'd say best looking pumpkins are around 300 lbs., or more, behind the heaviest pumpkins. The 1290 Poirier(some may consider this a benchmark) was 399lbs. lighter than the 1689 Jutras(which by the way was a pretty nice looking pumpkin). Is it because more people go for total weight, than for looks? Or is it less genetic potential for weight in the "pretty ones"? Maybe some of both.
I agree, the 1159 Richards was an awesome looking pumpkin. I think that seed has some very good potential for nice color and huge size. It may be like the 670 Daigle in regards to color. Some seeds may throw awesome color, and some just so-so color.
I also like the 1317.5 Rose. Nice shape and color. And it has some huge pumpkins in it's family tree...1370 Rose, 1446 Eaton, and 1420 Larue. That seed could have some firepower behind it. 1370 Rose X 998.6 Pukos....two highly proven seeds. I like that seed alot.

4/24/2008 7:58:58 PM

Bemidji Minnesota

Doug,

I agree with everything you said, except I do not consider the 1290 Poirier the Benchmark of "Good looking with size", I give that to the 1317. The 1290 I would still put on the short list however.

I completely agree that the 1689 was good looking. Not the darkest orange, but it did have excellent shape. Possibly one of the best shaped WRs in a long time.

If someone grows a World Record, with 1689 shape, and the color of the 1159, and if it is thick enough to be 10% heavy, that would IMHO be "super-pumpkin". I wonder if one will ever exist matching that criterion?

4/24/2008 11:53:16 PM