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Warwood

I personally believe that some of the best seed you can grow may be your own or ones you already have. Some excellent genes haven't even been potted. Some seeds are notorious for growing large pumpkins % wise but look at some that haven't even been tried like the 1170 Hopkins, some of Ned Sandercock's, Jim Sherwood's, Hester's etc. Try growing one you already have for at least one plant. Another point is that growing your own personal seed, such as had been grown in your own garden becomes genetically designed or acclimated to your weather, local fungi resistance, soil etc. Some growers who often grow their own seeds are Brett Hester, Steve Daletas, Winston Wykcoff, Larry Checkon, Kirk Mombert and the list goes on. I will be growing some of my own seed in the next couple of years. You definitely hold sleepers in your pocket. I needed to make this point since often many growers flock to a seed because someone grows a monster. There are literally thousands of seeds lying dormant waiting to be grown. Hey, experiment a little. Just needed to add my thoughts. Thanks for reading this. Don

10/7/2005 5:07:46 PM

Butler, Ohio

I like that thinking Don. I'm planning on doing at least one of mine for next year.

10/7/2005 5:17:07 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

I'm all over that wisdom too Don, thanks for sharing that thought! Had a big producing seed do diddly for me this season...could be me or seed...who knows! Best wishes, Duff

10/7/2005 8:25:13 PM

Puyallup, WA

Every year, a "sure-fire" big name seed that I paid "big bucks" for turns out to be a major disappointment. Everything from not germinating to splitting and everything in between seems to happen. I must be jinxed!

10/7/2005 10:40:49 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Stan, you can placed me in that category too. I had terrible luck with my high priced seeds.

10/7/2005 11:12:14 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Stan I think we have the same Jinx...Do you want to go half on a voodoo doctor...In the long run we would actually save money right? Green Squash go orange...Orange pumpkins turn Green.

10/7/2005 11:14:32 PM

Napa Valley, CA

I think that the number of plants that you are able to plant will have a big influence on whether you consider trying an unproven seed (either your own or someone else's).
When I was planting 5 or 6 plants I always did one of my own or planted an unproven seed with great genetics.

Next year I am able to do only 2 plants...... so you can bet I will only planting 2 seeds that have been proven to grow several over 1100 lbs.
Sure they may fall apart like Stan's or Kahuna's but with only 2 plants in the patch ya gotta go with the best seed stock that you can get your hands on.

10/8/2005 12:11:05 AM

Ohio

I never could understand when people finally get these excellent Proven seed and sometimes pays big money for them at auction or even trade multiple seed for one seed and cross these excellent crosses,they turn around and never ever grow that seed them selves. Why even cross them if your not gong to grow them, dont waste your time in the morning hand pollinating cause you know the following year you will grow something eles,lol
Look at Dick Wallace,Larue,Hester,Wolf, ect who grow there own seed year after year and have great success.

Heavy Hitters do try unproven seed also.Dick Wallace is taking a chance on one of my unproven seeds next year in his last place left open in his patch,why?, because he likes the crosses and knows how I pollinate my Females flowers so carefully,and your right it does help to know the grower.(Had to give him the wife for the weekend but it will be worth it in the long run,Wife dont know it yet she just thinks im being nice that im sending her on a vaction,and Dick doesnt know how she likes to step on 3 week old plants,so lets keep this to our selfs)

10/8/2005 5:22:34 AM

New Hampshire

The first couple of years I joined in the mania to obtain every hot and potential hot seed that was out there. I am now convinced that the "hottest" seeds out there are the ones that we never plant. Often those high sought after seeds seem to be the biggest duds. Seed selection can be the roll of the dice. ON the AGGC Hester is recorded as having the lighest 582 and Kuhn is recorded as having the lighest 712. On the other hand Look at how many WR are grown By grower using there own seeds. Here is one example of imperical data giving us opposite conclusions. I know 2 examples does not make good science but the main thing I"M tring to say is that genetics and seed selection is a roll of the dice. I believe it is more important to spend more time learning growing practice than finding the "magic" seed. My $.02

10/8/2005 6:26:26 AM

Netherlands

My 266 lber last year has produced a much larger fruit this year under bad conditions and will be planted again next year with hopefully better conditions.

10/8/2005 9:36:26 AM

Netherlands

Being Dutch (we are known to be stingy) you can achieve excellent genetics by letting someone else buy the expensive ones and then getting free seeds from the offspring.

10/8/2005 9:38:03 AM