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Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

As a first year grower, I'm looking for advice on A.G. breeding strategies. What are some of the stategies that seem to work best? Or do you think stategies are not much use? Is it just as good to go with you gut, or try some crosses, and hope to get lucky?
I'm talking about breeding for the next possible world record producing seed(where size/weight is everything-no beauty contest here).

Doug

9/18/2004 9:41:47 PM

San Diego

good q! Many people go with their gut, others look at what has worked before and try that, some just get lucky. Try to research genetics as much as possible of great seeds and then go with what you like with your crosses. That's the best I can offer. Jimmy

9/20/2004 9:06:05 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

Try crossing seed with same maternal genetics, try crossbacks to maternal and paternal genes, sibb or self, crossbacks 3-4 generations back, crossing same paternal genetics, etc.
Many strategies and many more opinions on them as well....depends on who you talk to. Study, listen and learn, then follow what *you* like best in strategies.

9/20/2004 10:58:05 PM

Syracuse, NY

get yourself the Don Langevin Book,
How-to-Grow
World Class Giant Pumpkins Volume 2, and THEN
get yourself the same-titled book, but volume 3.
and, read volume 2 first. lol, and volume 3 has
some very specific details and discussion about exactly
what you are referring to: strategies.and statistics. wow.
my only strategy is, thus far anyway,
"Cross Big and Ugly by Orange and Lovely"....
works every time!
lol.......so, if i saw a cross of, like,
845 Bobier '00 X 801.5 Stelts or X1140 or X705 or X1016 Daletas or, one i thought of the other day
and almost GASPED,
845 Bobier '00 X 810 Dill, well, THOSE are MY kinds of crosses. everyone has their favorite way. that's mine.eg

9/30/2004 6:19:42 PM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

pumpkinpal2,
I've got those two books, maybe I need to reveiw them.
I'm thinking there is some randomness in a cross, in regards to what gene combinations form, and how each seed may differ(seeds from the same pumpkin).
Then I wonder how much of a potential factor hybrid vigor is in crossing relatively unrelated seeds. Maybe you are onto something with the "Cross Big and Ugly by Orange and Lovely".
I guess for now I'll need to go with my gut, and maybe just guess as well. After all this isn't brain surgery, thank goodness. It is interesting though.
Thanks everyone for the helpful responses.

Doug

9/30/2004 10:57:16 PM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

Pal,

Seems like we have the same taste....

I've done the following crosses this year:

845 Bobier X 801.5 Stelts
783 Daletas X 801.5 Stelts
582 Hester X 801.5 Stelts
(these should be your favourites)

and also

801.5 Stelts X self
801.5 Stelts X 1016 Daletas
1016 Daletas X 801.5 Stelts
810 Dill X 801.5 Stelts
810 Dill X self

If you are interested in any of those crosses please let me know!

Martin

10/1/2004 6:30:47 AM

Syracuse, NY

martin, if you have not received an email from me, let me know or say so here...thanks!

10/12/2004 7:56:40 PM