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Salem, OR

Those of you who still have big pumpkins growing can stay focused on 2008 but some of us are (unfortunately) already starting to think ahead to 2009. I'm sitting here looking at my patch and only feeling ok about one of my seed selections--the 1041.5 McKie (and it's not breaking any records or anything, but does look more promising than all the rest). Here's what I ended out growing and what I wish I had grown instead. Mind you, these are all seeds that I actually had on my short list but eliminated at the last second.
I grew the 1689 but wish I had tried the 1010 Daletas instead (I wanted a 998.6 offspring). The 898 as pollinator in the 1010 should have convinced me (Steve Daletas is such a believer in the 898 that it was the pollinator for every one of his pumpkins this year, I believe)
I grew the 937.5 Isom but should have gone with the 1248 Ford instead because it was proven. I really talked up the 1248 at the PGVG auction and should have listened to myself. Growing just ONE of my own seeds will be enough next year and I'm going with proven seeds for all the rest.
I grew the 983.5 Isom but probably should have gone with the 1350.5 Starr instead. I really wanted one plant with strong 1370 genetics and probably picked the wrong one. I had some good reasons for choosing my 983.5, though, so I'm not kicking myself over that--just disappointed

8/24/2008 3:34:15 PM

Preston CT

1408 Daletas

8/24/2008 7:13:56 PM

milford, CT,

840 Parks..Might see dirt next year....Mark

8/24/2008 7:54:29 PM

ordinary,VA

694 Fowler (if i can one to get up and go)

8/24/2008 9:53:58 PM

Minnesota

Did you say seeds I'm thinking about next year..hmm..983 pukos, 1308 mckie, 1041 mckie, 1354 checkon, 1354 whittier, 1535 glasier, 664 ligget, 1081 leonzi, 720 noel, 1127 glasier, 1119 mcmullen, 1207 young, 1068 papez, 1446 werner, 1031 seals, 1248 ford, 1689 jutras, 1290 poirier, 1535 glasier, I've been dreaming about it..I'll probably just join a club, like the snepga.

8/24/2008 10:39:39 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

It's always easy to second guess ourselves at this point in the season. But if you would have went with your other choices, you may be second guessing them as well. I'm definitely not criticizing you, as I have second guessed myself as well. I've been thinking of next year's lineup for awhile now. I had a slow start to the season, so I guess I should be happy I didn't plant some highly sought after seeds. They can be used for a better growing season...maybe.
I've been caught up with planting shiny orange producers...and I may rethink that strategy before next season. Or maybe once an orange grower always an orange grower?

8/24/2008 11:45:09 PM

Ohio

I wish I would have grown my second choices this year, that way I wouldnt have wasted a bunch of the great seed I did plant this year,,,Ha!.
Im glad I never grew the 1408 like I was going to this year, atleast thats one good seed Ill have next year to grow, but other then that I really have no regrets on what I planted. Im still gonna grow another 1407 Hemphill,904 Stelts and a 1071 Houghton(if I can find one) next year, even though I lost them early to seed corn maggots.

8/25/2008 5:13:57 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

YEs thinking about next year already and have these planned to plant.....

500 Wallace
1502 Wallace
1407 Hemphill
1370 Rose
BiZ's Orange from the 1226 Kline X 1016 Daletas cross....
845 Bobier

But we have a long time to change our mind......

8/25/2008 9:45:24 AM

Utah

would have, should have, could have, I don't think you can 2nd guess yourself. pretty much all the seeds out there now a days have good genetics.

8/25/2008 5:54:39 PM

[email protected]

I put a lot of thought into my seed selections. But every year there are ones that live up to expectations and ones that don't. I don't regret planting any of the seeds I planted. You very well could have planted the seeds you now wish you had planted and could be in the same or an even worse situation. If someone grows a 1600 lber off the 1689 and the biggest off the 1010 is only 1300 will you still think you made a mistake?

8/25/2008 7:10:22 PM

Pataskala,OH

I like the 1689 from pics on here.

8/25/2008 7:13:04 PM

Salem, OR

Right, second guessing is a bit of a cop out, really. Top growers could probably grow a true giant with a couple of my "duds" from this year.

8/29/2008 12:24:43 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

I think heavyhitters frequently have a few duds themselves.

8/29/2008 6:22:57 PM