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Bemidji Minnesota

The 1689, from every angle, had a very good shape. Not as Orange as his 1225, but pretty due to the shape.

I have not heard of Joe's fruit having any problems of any sort, and I am cruious as to what he did right to keep it that way.

Is that just the genetics of the 998.6 Pukos? Calcium uptake?

In every picture I have seen, and the ones of her carved (thanks again for sending me those pictures Joe), there were no apparent flaws in her at all. Also had a tan seeds, with a high seed count.

4/13/2008 4:18:34 PM

Bemidji Minnesota

Had to go before I finished the post...

The blossom end, even though a little concave, was apperantly still thick and sturdy enough to be supported on that end for a Giant Jack-O-Lantern.

I can only image that everything had to be done right for this one, and for once, would not be surprised if the record lasts for a year or two.

Just the sheer physics of it, Joe, you made the Perfect storm last year. The fruit must have been growing over 75 lbs per day at some point.

Anyhow, interestingly, was the lack of Dill rings, both on the outside (from any picture/angle, I cannot see any sag lines on the 1689), but when Joe inspected the inside, when Scott was carving her, had no internal flaws there either, not even the common cracks found in fruit over 500 lbs.

My only guess is that its perfect shape, and lack of Dill rings, is what allowed her to hold together when she passed the barriers that most fruit with Sag lines tend to split at.

I find that interesting, as when fruit gets pushed to the limit, that is when flaws tend to show up more.

There are several lines of fruit that tend to have less problems with this, and my theory, is that in another decade or so, the shapes will be improving as the huge increases in size slow due to physics.

Perhaps one day the AG will no longer have the reputation as an unpredictable shaped fruit.

4/13/2008 4:42:10 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

meathead,
I like your thinking. You ask some good questions, and make good observations. I don't know, but maybe the 998 Pukos has the genetics for solid wall integrity. Maybe other growers of the 998 will chime in.

4/14/2008 1:56:22 PM

Bemidji Minnesota

Was the 1566 Rodonis a 998.6? It had a very concave blossom end, yet was still 9" thick there when carved.

The 998.6 also grew the European Record last year too,the 1297 Ghaye 07.

That fruit actually went 4% light.

It was not as well shaped as the 1689, yet was still nicely shaped however, with no sag lines.

I would put a bet (if I had the collateral that is) that the 1470 Wallace, which is 1502 (1068 x 1354) x 998.6, has a good shot of producing more dill-ring-free fruit, but with even thicker walls, and possibly the nice shapes that the 998.6 can grow as well.

Time will show on that one, but the gold standard of 1689 is at least on a very nicely shaped pumpkin, and I just have a feeling that the reason the "classic shape" is the calssic shape, is that is supports its own weight best too.

Being too tall (weak base), or too flat (putting too much pressure on sides), or any asymmetrical lump , has the potential to create a weak spot. Logic would then suggest that those things are every bit as important in breaking limits as sheer weight gain alone, as it cannot continue without the rest in place.

Who knows? Maybe someone will prove me wrong with a 1700+ monster that is an ugly asymmetrical mess of dill rings and other ugly show.

4/15/2008 1:32:27 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

The 1566 Rodonis was grown from the 1450 Wallace.

4/15/2008 7:02:45 PM

Bemidji Minnesota

Ok, 1450 ehhh, good seed too.

Thanks for clearing that one up Doug. :)

4/16/2008 1:13:53 AM