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Illinois

Hi,

I'm completely lost when it comes to picking the right seeds to cross. Any positive help would be greatly appreciated! I know people have said, it's not what you grow this year but the seeds that come out of the pumpkin are what matters. Well all I care about is what I can raise this year. I'm not looking to break records but to get in the 1000lb club.

Here's what I have:
2230 wallace
1790 wallace
1648 wallace
2017 Martin
1791 Holland
1131 Holland
1278 Holland
1824 shenoha
1539 shenoha
1111 shenoha
1834 Vincent
1727 Vincent
1220 Vincent
1992 Vincent
1916 Barron
1738 Barron
1689 Barron
1948 Warner
1843 Warner
1810 Warner
1664 Warner

I was thinking 1916 Barron x 1824 shenoha
OR 1790 wallace x 2230 wallace or 1790 wallace x 1916 Barron, along with 1790 wallace selfed and 1916 Barron selfed.

Any suggestions please???

5/2/2017 10:37:30 PM

Randlett, Oklahoma

Those are all great crosses in my mind. Probably all of those could go over 1000. Check on pumpkin finatic and see which ones have a good history of going over 1000.

5/2/2017 11:30:12 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Just keep in mind, what your cross is has no change on what you achieve this year.

5/3/2017 7:37:11 AM

Springfield, VT

The simple answer is pick seeds you will like to grow and put less demand on the cross. It will work out that there will not be a male ready for any desired cross. In the end you will need to take what you can get for the cross. So if you grow all good seeds any cross will be a good one.

5/3/2017 8:39:36 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Hi mm I beg to differ, it is 100% about what you grow this year. Chances are you'll plant somebody else's seeds next year anyways. You got to bring a pumpkin to the weighoff not seeds.

5/3/2017 9:08:54 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Oh yeah and grow the 1916. Good luck!

5/3/2017 9:09:26 AM

Colorado

I like1843werner,1916barron,1824shazzmaster ,2230wallace and 1834vincent in no particular order.

5/3/2017 11:05:17 AM

Grittyville, WA

I think maybe only a few talented people have a knack for breeding pumpkins and I'm not one of them. But I have a suggestion which is to go ahead and double, triple, or quadruple plant, maybe pair an expensive or rare seed with an easy to obtain seed so you are not forced to eliminate one you wish you didn't have to... and see which is best when they start to vine out... Some may surprise and some may disappoint. I don't think you can go very wrong with this rule: "If you cross two good plants, you will likely get a good result."

5/3/2017 11:40:55 AM

stoughton WI

1810 werner x 1824 shenoha
1810 werner x 1689 barron
Those might be some good crosses, I just like the heavy.

5/3/2017 12:56:04 PM

Illinois

Thank you all for your suggestion! My only problem is I only have room for 2 plants so I have to be a tad precise on my choice.

5/3/2017 7:09:25 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Let me clarify my comment. If you plant a 2230 Wallace you can cross it with anything on your list and it will not change what you achieve this year. If you let the bees pollinate it will not change what you grow this year.

5/3/2017 8:28:04 PM

Marion,IN

I would suggest cutting way back on your possible seed choices in the future. It would make your decision a lot easier and give you a lot let stress. You have so many good seeds that should see dirt, but only 2 spots to grow them. I'm glad I'm not in your shoes, but I would go with the 1810 Werner (22% heavy)x 1689 Barron (27% Heavy). I love the heavy genes in both p-kins and would cross them both ways. You could have some serious percent heavy p-kins! Good luck with whatever you decide to grow.

Mark G.

5/4/2017 12:43:56 PM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

If your growing for size you may need to take what is available. However, it is good to have a plan.

5/4/2017 4:45:52 PM