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Dayton OH

Do you prefer to use more of your "best seeds?" or some of your "expendable" ones?

And what is your growing strategy? Germinate with the others? Germinate later, only if needed? Keep in a pot or set out next to the others, or set out in a “backup patch?”

Giving reasons for your preferences would also be appreciated – I did a BP site search and found very wide variations in backup practices.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
Paul

2/19/2008 8:44:10 AM

Frankfort Ohio

Paul you plant whatyour best seeds you have then go to your second choice witch i go to one of my own or one of our clubs seeds.

2/19/2008 9:02:14 AM

Western NY

expendable ones from my own pumpkins of which i have a good enough feeling about, and a good supply. this year, my backups will be my 907 (1370 x 1407), even though the supply isn't that great on it.

2/19/2008 10:32:14 AM

[email protected]

I'm with Andy, I use my own seeds as backups. I don't use other seeds as backups. I'm sure there are people out there who germintaed 723's, 1068's and so on for back ups then ended up not needing them and throwing them out. Only later wishing they still had that seed.

2/19/2008 10:59:39 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

I have some strong opinions on this, based on my own experience.

What I had was five sites prepared. My goal was to still have 5 plants by mid-season. Once you get to fruit growth season, you can't necessarily control splits, but the goal is to have all of your sites with good plants on July 1st.

So, five sites. Then I pick 5 "first team" seeds and 5 "backups". In reality, I start a few more than this.

All sites are double-planted! This is very important.

Last year, from the seeds that were the five in my first string, two of them flat-vined and one of them simply didn't want to grow. If I hadn't double-planted, I would have then been down to two healthy plants, and would be struggling to provide two fruits for my two planned weighoffs. I suppose some people never have bad things happen to them, but I do. I think it's critical to double-plant every site, and then cut down to one in mid- or late-May.

As for seed selection for the "second string", any seed that hasn't reached "big money" status is eligible. I like to plant first year seeds from good crosses. If I have two seeds from the same fruit then I might give preference to that one. This gives you a chance to learn that seed, and then have another chance to grow it next year.

2/19/2008 1:16:31 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Paul, I germinate and grow seedlings for a number of friends and neighbours so usually have a back-up or 2 in case I need them. If I don't need them I find someone new to grow.

Having a couple of buddies grow each year enables me to do crosses that I normally could not do in my confined backyard space.

2/19/2008 1:32:43 PM

Midwest

Paul

I prefer to start 1 best seed since I have 1 competition patch and several second choices for my pollinator patch. Last year, I attempted to germinate 4 seeds but failed and my friend George Janowiak gave me his 'extra' plant that was already 2 weeks in the pot. without his help, I wouldn't have grown anything last year. I will germinate some that came from last year's pumpkin (667) as my 'second choice' backups. Greg

2/19/2008 2:01:01 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

I tend to use unproven seeds that I have plenty of, as backups. One's that I may be tempted to grow in the future, based on the cross. I've gone with seeds I've obtained from Howard Dill's site, in the past(some have 3 or more seeds to the pack). Seed Outlet is another place to obtain some nice backup seeds. I think Andy W.'s idea is a good one as well.
I like to plant backups at the time I plant my main plants, or shortly after. This way if I get a unmanageable ribbon vine, I'm not going to be behind the game. I've been planting backups on the opposite end of the designated patch area, for my main plants. I plant them so the mainvines would both be facing each other. That's just what I've done.

2/19/2008 2:14:22 PM

I just dig up a plant from Jim Sherwood's patch if one of mine goes south.

Of course, now that I have revealed this, Jim will be installing dye packs on all his pumpkin plants.

2/19/2008 2:52:19 PM

Dayton OH

LMAO Neal

2/19/2008 3:45:49 PM

Dayton OH

Thanks guys for good ideas to chew on.

2/19/2008 4:30:56 PM

Mulino, Oregon

Neal,that explains a lot! I may actually install snap traps also, just incase the dye packs don't go off! Also by not planting the 1370 Rose this year, Neal will have virtually no reason to come over! lol.

2/19/2008 5:42:14 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Sort of confusing...backups...planted in same spot as yer #1?, won't that slow down yer #1??? ...how does one with limited space, start backups? Peace, Wayne

2/19/2008 8:41:13 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Plant them about 2, maybe 2.5 feet apart. They don't grow fast the first few weeks. Cull to one sometime in May.

2/20/2008 3:04:53 PM

Newmarket, NH USA

I plant 8 seeds that I like all about the same and choose the best 4 to go in. Then I plant 6 or 7 more of my own and a few that I just think have good potential. I like to have backups that are the same age as the ones in the patch. That July pollination window is tight at times so I dont like to put in a plant that is 2 weeks behind. This year the 1502 Wallace will get in for sure no matter what the other 3 will be to tough to call. I always find a good home for the unplanted seedlings after my plants are off and running

2/22/2008 6:12:48 PM