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Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

I am tired of growing 500# pumpkins with unproven seeds and would like to get some proven seeds. If any grower out there has extra seeds that have some good history to them I sure would like to have some. Willing to pay a reasonable price for them, have nothing to trade. Personal best is 593#, but would like to get into the 700# range. I know seeds will be available in november, but would like some proven seeds. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Email me if you can help. Phil from Cameron

8/13/2003 11:33:20 AM

Western Pa.

Phil,

I think investing in your soil, may work better for you than investing in seeds. If you build your soil up to around 20% O.M. and use systemic insecticides, I bet you could easily top 500# with the seeds you have! It's not ALL about the seed!

8/13/2003 4:52:04 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Phil,

This past winter there were some really cool seed auctions that this website hosted. I enjoyed watching the bidding even though I rarely purchased anything. Other auctions took place by write in's & e-mails. Great seeds were offered. And the various growers associations got all the proceeds which benefits the sport.

Until June 2004 that's going to have to be the way. This winter will probably be no different. And personally I hope it stays that way.

Steve

8/13/2003 10:43:22 PM

Ontario

Don't worry too much about seed PFC ;0) . The most important thing you can have in this hobby are friends. Or should I say friends with good seed. We'll fix you up with some good stuff as soon as the weigh-offs are over. Friends don't let friends grow bad seed!

8/13/2003 11:42:13 PM

Puyallup, WA

Now that's a good one, Cowpie!! :>)

8/14/2003 1:31:36 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

Like Cowpie said, you're hooked up :0)

8/14/2003 6:39:47 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Thanks for your replies everyone. I am now getting excited about next year already. With more information on soil prep. and the opportunity to have some proven seeds, my quest for a big pumpkin might just become a reality. Good luck to everyone. Phil (excited in Cameron).

8/14/2003 3:51:46 PM

Montoursville, PA

Copper.........If I can finish them at any weight this year I have a dandy pair of crosses I would surely share with you. I have a price though. I want you to really dive into patch building and forget the seed thing. You build that patch and a lot of us have seeds that will go for the higher numbers. Look at my diary in the early patch building pix. This is where the big fruit start! Then it is your understanding of that excellent patch and lastly and least important a seed with good genetics. You can do it easily to pop over five hundred with serious patch work. The bigger numbers just take a little more patch goodness and understanding. Remember two thirds of all over a thousand have come from seeds previously not really thought to be famous seed. Someone like you or I just hit it lucky and we go from there.

Note the luck often falls into the patches that are good while working with seed from known good growers.....not any special one grower. One good well known seed this year is failing in this years wet muggy patches of the Northeast like Custer's men at the Battle Of The Little Big Horn. This does not change the value of that specific seed.

....Size of the produced pumpkin often has little to do with what the seed from that pumpkin will do.

.....You build the patch and they will come to you too. I personally feel the healthy more organcic approach is the way to go. That is a personal belief not with out it's followers.

8/17/2003 11:12:29 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Thanks for your reply Docgipe. This fall I plan to start rebuilding my garden. After the season I plan on getting a soil sample tested, Add lots of organic material from the many farms in my area. Also I plan to add a cover crop of buckwheat, something I have not done in the past. Your right about building up the patch and with some good seeds I am very optimistic about next year. Thanks again to everyone and good luck.
Phil from Cameron

8/17/2003 3:47:29 PM