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NorthEast

Now that we are more than half way through the growing season we can have a pretty decent idea of the productivity of the class of 2012 pumpkins. So, going forward, which seeds would you most desire heading into the future.

For me (in no particular order):

1. 1161 Rodonis and 1385 Jutras
- You cannot beat the mass number of giants produced from these seeds. But, it's getting harder and harder to obtain them since they have been around for awhile. I would grow them every year if I could.

2. 1789 Wallace (est.)
- With a strong year this year seeds from "The Freak" may go way up in value. Last year was a great start for its first year of growth. I'm guessing a few grown super giants this year may only increase demand. I wouldn't be surprised if this eventually becomes the most expensive seed to obtain.

3. 1634 Werner
- It's hard to pass on the one that produced "The Mold Monster."

4. 1421 Stelts
- It is still a fairly young seed. It's also moving way up the charts as far as the number of giants that it has produced.

5. 1725 Harp
- Although it will likely now be out of my price range for good, it's nice to dream about obtaining this one. Who wouldn't pass on the chance of getting this one if the price was right.

Honorable Mention:
1409 Miller & 1381 Checkon
- They've only been around for a few years, but they are quickly developing good reputations. I don't hear about or come across many growing problems when it comes to these seeds.

Overall, there are many great seeds out there, but these would currently make up my future "dream team" of seeds. I'd be very interested in hearing about what others are currently thinking and why. It could get me thinking more about some seeds that might not even be on my radar yet, but hearing ideas from others could certainly change my line of thinking. Also, are there any seeds that I should add to my list? Thanks!

7/17/2013 12:07:49 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Be different plant unknowns...along with your dream seeds.Go with your gut and prove them yourself

7/17/2013 1:04:17 PM

Slate River,Ont. Canada

Alot of this seeds or grown every year. Got to wonder for example,the 1725 Harp...How many are still out there?

7/17/2013 2:01:13 PM

Massachusetts

all great choices, I would have to add the 1566 rodonis, and the 985 werner, old school that should get you to the thousand pound mark...

7/17/2013 2:17:46 PM

Midway, UT

Personally I wouldn't plant a seed that is more than 4-5 years old. The genetics advanced too much in just a few years to want to plant older seeds. Look at the 1068 Wallace. Not many years ago anyone would plant one if they could get one. But it didn't produce many pumpkins over 1,500 pounds. Growing techniques isn't what have advanced the pumpkins much over the last 5 years. It is the genetics. "Todays" seeds like the 1725 and 1789 have produced many pumpkins over 1700 pounds. On average, you will do better with the newer genetics.

7/17/2013 7:30:35 PM

Niagara Falls,NY

I wouldn't count out the older seeds. Look at the 845 and 723 Bobier, they grew a number of pumpkins in the 1400 pound range.The 275 VanHook grew some 1300 lbers. Maybe cross those genetics (if you can find them or pumpkins with those genetics) with some of the newer genetics. Of course most of the pumpkins have those older genetics in them any way.( Yes I still listen to cassette tapes and watch movies on my vcr!)

7/22/2013 7:40:21 PM

BC, Canada

interesting thread here, I am most definitely not an expert on AGs, still learning lots.
I am very involved and have been for several years with chickens. There is a big interest now in what are called heritage breeds. That is breeds that were more common many years back. These heritage breeds had certain desirable characteristics such as egg layers or meat birds, or dual purpose (meat and eggs). Or maybe they were good foragers, means they needed less grain, better winter layers, and so on. A lot of these characteristics have been lost, are at least not focused on with the loss of smaller mixed farms and the advance of industrial poultry.
My point is that we have learned that "outbreeding" is a way to regain some of these good features. That is a bird that might not be what you want, even a different breed, but was part of the ancestry of a particular breed might be breed back in to a line to try and regain certain strengths. And yes, it is a lot more complicated then that, LOL.
But to pumpkins, I would thing that some of those older famous seeds still hold some incredible genetic potential as line breeding always narrows the gene pool and therefor the possibilities.
Maybe the 723 crossed with the 2009, who knows. I have room for two little plants so it will not be me but someone will probably try some of these experiments.

7/22/2013 9:54:58 PM

NorthEast

One of my biggest issues is also available space. Moving forward, I really would like to focus in on obtaining seeds that I can really count on. Having one or two unproductive plants would lead to a very disappointing season for me. Therefore, having seeds that could help maximize my chances for a great year would be well worth the investment. I put in so much time and money into my plants each year, as many others obviously do. I've also been burned a few times by buying seeds that I felt had great potential, only to have them not work out, and never develop a proven history as the years move on. I'm just uneasy at this stage about trying something that doesn't have some sort of positive history of producing 1000+ pumpkins. There is nothing better in my mind when it comes to pumpkin growing when you can approach that 1000+ range, while there is nothing more crushing than having nothing of real substance to show for at the end of the season.

The mentioned above 1566 Rodonis and 985 Werner are also highly thought of on my part. I've heard and read that seeds can be fairly dependable for about a decade. If that's the case, although the 1566, 985, 1611, and 1385 are getting up there in years, they should still likely be viable options next year.

If the price is right, and if there are still some 1611's and 1385's left next year, I don't think I'll be able to resist trying to auction bid on seeds of that caliber.

Looking at the going rate for seeds in the auctions this past winter, $350-$500 on a 1725 Harp seed is a little bit too steep of a risk for me. For the others, unless they show unusually well this year, I might be able to still get the 1634 Werner, 985 Werner, 1409 Miller, 1381 Checkon, and possibly even the 1421 Stelts and 1789 Wallace for under $100. That would be well worth it!

7/23/2013 4:15:30 PM

Niagara Falls,NY

Why buy seeds when there are so many growers who would gladly share some seeds with you.Follow the diaries and you can see how different seeds are doing, then ask the grower if they would share some seeds with you. The seed exchange used to be loaded with people offering free seeds, but not very much lately. It's a shame that new growers automaticly think you have to buy seeds. Not the way it used to be.

7/23/2013 7:57:39 PM

Joliet, IL

Buying seeds helps the clubs raise cash for prize money. If no one bought seeds there would be no auctions. For those that can afford them then it is an easy way to obtain a proven seed and help the clubs. If you can't afford them then network. For the amount of money spent for a whole season..300 or so dollars for proven genetics is a drop in the bucket.

7/24/2013 10:26:21 AM

NorthEast

Thinking back about the main subject that I have at the top, what are some of the "dream seeds" or specific seeds that you all are most interested in obtaining going into the future?

Are there any specific ones that you will be especially eyeing and trying to get for the season(s) after this year? I'm just curious to hear about the thoughts of others as far as what specific seeds might be of greatest interest to you right now. Would it be a certain cross created this year? Would it be a certain older seed? Would it be a specific proven seed? So, what seeds would rank at the top of your lists right now?

Thanks for all of your responses so far. It has helped me have a better idea as far as what I plan on looking for going forward.

7/24/2013 2:06:35 PM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

I'm personally keeping an eye grower diaries from hot humid areas and the pumpkins they have going now. I'm looking for ones that are doing well in hot areas this year. I won't be able to afford some of the big guys seed....but I'm hopeful.

7/24/2013 4:09:26 PM

Colorado

Wait till this fall weighoffs.Theyll be lots of big pumpkins with your favorite genetic backgrounds in their seeds- many available because theyre new. I think 1623 wallace and 1756 lancaster are going to produce.

7/24/2013 4:43:05 PM

President - GPC

CoJoe...that waZ 1649 Lancaster....too...

7/24/2013 5:04:20 PM

Santa Rosa, CA.

If anyone wants to give me their 1756 Lancaster seeds I'll gladly take them.

7/24/2013 9:30:47 PM

NorthEast

Are there any other ideas on new seeds out there, in addition to the already mentioned above 1623 Wallace and Lancaster seeds, that might show strong this summer and become especially hotly sought after in your minds? I really like those Lancaster and Wallace predictions above.

7/28/2013 11:54:58 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

I have a pretty good feeling the Fulks are going to grow some monster pumpkins off of their own 2012 seeds this year.

7/28/2013 4:43:55 PM

Nottingham, UK

PurplePumpkin,

Check out these seeds, the top two may be of interest to you. I am growing the 854.5 (1161 remake) and couldn't be happier.
The pumpkin on the 854.5 is 182.5" on day 23 which may not be a lot for most US growers but for here in the UK with our typically bad weather and in growing it outdoors, its not bad at all and its way ahead of all my others. What would it do with US weather? Woudl be keen to see it proven!

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=23&p=467269

854.5Frei12(1231.3Pukos05x1450Wallace06)=1161Rodonis remake

798.1Frei12 (1068Wallace03x998.6Pukos06)=1385Jutras remake

707.0Frei12 (1450Wallace06x1231Pukos05)=1566Rodonis remake

666.0Frei12 (1161Rodonis07x1207Young07)-> 1495Stelts genes

625.0Frei12 (1370Rose03x1068Wallace03)= 1207Young07 remake

505.0Frei12 (845Bobier00x1068Wallace03)->845=mother of 1068

400.0Frei12 (716Dillx846.5Calai)->winner of the 716contest

441.4Frei06 (845Bobier00x846.5Calai99) = 1260Weir01 remake

407.9Frei06 (1092Burke98x723Bobier99) = 805Pukos remake

278.9Frei08 (827Holland92x898Knauss01)->827=worldrecord '92

254.0Frei06 (723Bobier99xself)

122.8Frei07 (940Mombert98x1026.5Holland00)=582Hester remake

8/2/2013 7:13:42 PM

Stanwood, Washington

Off the top of my head....
2328 Meir
1161 Rodonis
1421 Stelts
1725 Harp
1622 Young
1544 Revier
2009 Wallace
1791 Holland
1409 Miller
1655 Ford
1789 Wallace
1495 Stelts

10/8/2013 2:41:41 PM