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Northern , AZ.

Hi Everyone! My name is Mat K.,I live in Northern AZ. I am a newbie. Two years ago I grew some store bought Atlantic Giants (65lb-ers), and it was a lot of fun. I can tell by reading some of the posts on this site, that I have alot to learn about pumpkin growing and pumpkin genetics. Since I am not familiar with the names or strains, let me tell you folks what I'm looking for, and maybee you can help? I'm looking for strains that I can have finish by late Sept.,I would like some huge pumpkins (500lbs.+). Our hottest day of the summer is around 105*. A variey of colors would be cool. Also, If anyone could direct me to some good books on pumpkin genetics, I would definitely appreciate it. thanx, Mat K.

10/2/2004 3:06:32 PM

Atlanta, Georgia

Mat,
Most ag seeds will produce over 500lbs. with good weather.
You may want to look for seeds that were grown in a similar
climate and maybe post a request for some seeds from Carlos Perez in Spain.

I'm sure you'll get a lot of replies to your search and if you need a variety of good seeds I can send you some that usually produce from whitish to orange to dark green.

There's no guarantee that all of the offspring will produce any certain color with atlantic giants. The 845Bobier00 seeds are one of the best and have produced everything from white to orange to dark green for different growers. (That seed is practically impossible to get though, just so you know)

Don Langevin's "How to Grow World Class Giant Pumpkins" part one two and three are good books to have and the part 3 has the most genetics info. You can find it easily at Amazon.com

Best regards,
Michel in Germany

10/3/2004 3:15:41 AM

Wichita, KS

Mat

Your weather sound a lot like the weather at my patch in the Sierra foothills. I have discovered that some seed families don't like to pollinate in the high heat, or the leaves don't like to stand up. So far, the best seeds I have grown in this heat are 659 Troy, 845 Wentzell, 675 Hester, 756 Kennedy. I have heard that the 845 Bobier genetics usually hold up well under heat, too, and you still might be able to find some selfed seeds out there.

Carlos Perez's have a good rep for high heat climates, but I have yet to get my hands on some... of course I haven't tried, yet, so there's something to consider.

Good luck on the 2005 season!

10/3/2004 4:49:10 PM