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[email protected]

Pap as always starts some great threads, and i'd like to see what you think the 2000 pounder will come from and why.
I still very much like the 1010 Daletas, But I belive the dark horse in the mix could easily be the 901 Hunt, Again both are pollinated with the 898, which I believe will be required to make the next level.
Now why I like the 898, all you need to look at is the 1068 Wallace, and the 1337 Houghton, both are off the 845 Bobier, and the pollinator of the 1068 was the 898, the 1337 was pollinated by the 712 Kuhn.

12/6/2008 1:07:08 PM

Western NY

My bet, and this is a safe bet based on my belief that 2000# is still 5-10 years away:

The seed that produces such a pumpkin has yet to be grown, as well as the seed that produces that seed. In its background is the 998, 1041, 1068, and my 1407. I think the 1041 is on the mother side way back, though.

12/6/2008 1:13:13 PM

Colorado

I think andy might be right about the 5 to 10 years away.Might have some 1092 martin,1350 starr and for sure 1450 wallace blood in the seed that produces it.

12/6/2008 1:26:53 PM

Clayton, Ohio, USA

As has been touched on before, it will most likely come from a mutant that doesn't quit after 100-120 days on the vine. It may have to be started early in a greenhouse with soil cables and have the benefit of a long season. This seed could come from anywhere. We maybe need to better moniter late season growth of our pumps in order to discover and propagate such a seed - my 2 cents.

12/6/2008 1:44:49 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Maybe we should set our sights lower...like the 1800 lb. barrier, which could be five or more years away.
Will we have another genetic breakthrough seed, as the 898 is perceived to be? Or should we look to be crossing seeds with a lot of 801.5 Stelts(or similar genetics) into our current top seeds, to introduce more variety in the genetics?

12/6/2008 2:48:21 PM

Ohio

I disagree, with the big size pumpkins that have been grown the past few years, if just one goes heavy ,,,,,, bingo!, not as far away from a 2000lber then you thought. I think it will be way sooner then 10 years away though wayyyy sooner.

12/6/2008 2:52:52 PM

Ohio

You gotta realize also the 1689 was only 311 lbs away, and thats not far from 2000 lbs at all.

What percent heavy would the 1689 had to have went to reach the 2000lb mark? 17 % or so? Not unheard of a pumpkin going 17% heavy,

12/6/2008 2:57:12 PM

ordinary,VA

Eddy Im big on the 901 Hunt as well.
sent Phil email last week talking about the 901.
there is a monster in the 901 ready to come out!?!

12/6/2008 3:12:27 PM

Ohio

I like that 901 also Ed and Eddy, Its always been on my short list to grow but somehow it just never gets planted.

12/6/2008 3:54:39 PM

Midway, UT

I think it will take a late season grower like the 1556 Rodonis with some heavy added to from a seed we haven't "discovered" yet. I like Eddie's idea of a cross with the 1010 Daletas or even his 546.4 Zaychkowsky (898 Knauss x 1068 Wallace). The 1556 hasn't consistently gone heavy yet but with the right cross it could get there. The advantage I think that the 1556 has is that it is an aggressive plant that seems to have few problems and has a great genetic background. A 2000 pounder will need to have a perfect season.

12/6/2008 4:54:32 PM

Upstate S.C.

it will be from someone in the south.

12/6/2008 5:03:57 PM

Colorado

your right about the south.It will be grown in southern canada,southern oregon ,south new england lol

12/6/2008 5:10:21 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Whoa, Eddy I saw Phil's 901 plant in late August the fruit was nearly 1k by mid month. The plant had the thickest vines and largest leaves I have ever seen. In all my years of patch tours and growing I could not believe the potential that plant presented. It was a respiration and photosynthesis monster of a plant. The fruit was huge and if not for a weak blossom it could have challenged Joe's record.

12/6/2008 5:36:03 PM

Somerset,Ky

682 Taylor 2008 (793 Van Hook X 275 Van Hook) 13.6 % heavy

793 Van Hook 2007(1,041 McKie X 1,450 Wallace)
275 Van Hook 2006 (1,407 Wolf X 1,443 Palmer)

920 Taylor 2008 (1,096.5 Privitera X 793 Van Hook) 18% heavy

1,096.5 Privitera 2007 (1068 Wallace X 998 Pukos)
793 Van Hook 2007(1,041 McKie X 1,450 Wallace)
Lee just needs to get them crossed

869 L. Burton 2007 (275 Van Hook X 1,450 Wallace)
We will see some nice pumpkins from these

12/6/2008 5:38:17 PM

Minnesota

I had an interesting thought associated with seeing the new heating system that my parents put into their house (North Dakota), because of really bad winters and somewhat unreliable electricity at times, the heating system in the new house is a the electric panels that are buried in a few feet of sand, and the result is basically convection type floor heating that even if the power is out for a few days will keep the house nice and toasty. In normal conditions, you have a nice warm floor thoughout. Now if you applied that same system to the underneath of your garden, put on a foot or so of good soil, you would not need heating cables and could keep your soil nice and toasty warm all year and maybe extend the growing season. I guess the investement in a 30K underground heating system plus the cost of heating it would maybe be offset by getting $300 for each of the 600 seeds (180K) that the 2000 pound pumpking produced. Anyone want to invest the "seed" money (40K) with me, I will put in the heating system and give you half the seeds from my biggest pumpkin.

12/6/2008 5:41:34 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

I think in order to get 2000 we are going to have to go one step further and control the growth hormones in the plant. Lets face it the plants only purpose is to produce a fruit that has viable seeds.

12/6/2008 5:47:06 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

MitchK a simple solar pool heater and 1000 feet of black pex will work for alot cheaper.

12/6/2008 5:48:55 PM

South East

It wil be grown next year or the year after. It wil by either 985 offspring or 1385, 1041 ofspring. it wil go over 15% heavy and just top 2000lbs.

12/6/2008 6:58:49 PM

Nikiski, Alaska 99635

We are there now genetically for 2000 lbs and it could be done by a number of crosses. The grower that accomplishes this will have to have some luck of course, but more importantly a complete understanding of how these plants grow, the soil will have to be in top condition, perfect weather conditions and pest control for the entire 100+ day season. A no days off, scientific feeding program oriented towards pushing the limit of what the pumpkin can with stand every day. I personally feel that some of these giants are under fed especially towards the latter stages of growth. If the pumpkin at all feels it is not getting enough nutrition it is more than likely to feel stressed and cause the pumpkin to mature and put the energy towards seed production. Certainly many pumpkins are sure to go down on the quest for 2000 lbs. As shocking as the Jutras 1689 pumpkin was in 2007 such will be the case when this barrier is passed. I used to think we were 10 to 15 years down the road but I now feel it could be anytime. The enery, time, technological advancement and commitment will rival the race to the moon in the 60s. When we get there, what will be the first words uttered when we plant the 2000 lb flag on the big orange planet. One small step for man... one giant step for pumpkin growers. I know thing, I will stand back and tip my hat to Sir Howard Dill and all the other growers who have made this such a facinating journey.

12/6/2008 7:43:12 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

I think we're within a few years, of breaking 2k.

Weather permitting.

12/6/2008 10:45:00 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

For the first time, I agree with SCTROOPER.....it will be grown "from someone in the south" but what he left out was that it would be from someone in southern areas of Washington State or British Columbia.

Alot of good/great growers have suggested or advised to "grow your own seed"......our Island friend Jake has done that and proven his own theory with some monsters and records for quite some time now. At his rate, with his own seeds it is possible with our climate.

12/6/2008 11:54:56 PM

Ontario, Canada.

This may sound a bit scientific but what I believe it takes to get there is already available. The current seed lines are capable. The plants are able to produce a shell large enough and with only a few points heavy 2K could be reached.

Controlling day time respiration is a large factor that everyone over looks. Nearly all of the largest pumpkins are lost each year due to a little understood principle. Water demands for cooling on hot dry days cause the stomata to open and large quantities of fluids that contain calcium and boron are left to accumulate in the leaves while the water is lost shooting up the xylem and out the leaves stomata. Solve this problem and you end BES and Rib splits and save all of those large fruit that never make it to the scale. Then 2000 is quickly within reach.

12/7/2008 5:58:11 AM

Ontario, Canada.

during these heavy demand cooling events the plants energy is devoted more to preservation than reproduction. Photosyhthesis takes a back seat to allow the plant to conserve energy in the stressful evironment. There has been reams of work done in these areas. The grower who best combines the attributes below will be the first to get to 2000.

• ideal plant architecture
• maximizing root systems
• ideal yield components
• maximizing photosynthesis
• maximizing source-sink relationship
• sequestration of carbon dioxide
• reducing the effects of drought
• improving N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S nutrition
• improving micronutrient uptake

Maximize your crop productivity
Physiology of Crop Production

Agriculture and Horticulture; Food Science and Technology
http://www.HaworthPress.com/

12/7/2008 6:30:47 AM

Joliet, IL

i think a one ton cross will have the 1041 genes in the cross due to not only its density characteristics but more importantly is the longer growth period of its pumpkins. my 1041 was still growing at 94 days old. the 1631 mckie put on 400 pounds after sept 1st and was still growing 5 lbs a day at harvest of 100 days old.

here is the perfect storm in my eyes so to speak----

an early start of a plant that hits the summer solstice sun in the prime pound packing age and continues grow through september and all the way to a 2nd week in october weigh off with the perfect fall indian summer conditions, and then it goes over 17% heavy.

i think it would be a good idea for growers to start statistical analysis of seeds that generally produce a longer pumpkin growing period. i personally would love to see a chart of pumpkins that had continual ott growth after 70 days through 110 days and then also list the percent to the charts next to those pumpkins.

12/7/2008 9:57:10 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

I think the 2000 is just around the corner also. A 1/2" thicker wall on Joe J's 1689# pumpkin & it could have come close. We're only a cross or two away from seeing it happen.
It's humbling that some growers rank our 901 seed so high, thanks. In all our years of growing, we've never had a plant like it. It grew so much faster than the 1689 & 1631.5, that I could hardly believe it. We crossed the 1631.5 Mckie into it, so we're very excited about the cross (1268.5 Hunt/08 901 Hunt x 1631.5 Mckie). All 3 of our 2008 seeds will be available in the 2009 GVGO membership seed pack.

Phil

12/7/2008 2:28:02 PM

Lloydminster/AB

1268.5 Hunt X 1041 Mckie... So that's the obvious cross Somebody will have a "magic" seed from each and there we are! The 2000lb seed. This one has to get done!
Don

12/7/2008 4:28:02 PM

[email protected]

Good words Russ. Watch your inbox tonight.

12/7/2008 4:50:54 PM

Rhode Island

I GUESS I WILL NEED TO GET MY FRIEND DR. BUTTERBOTTOM TO SET RON AND I UP WITH HIS "INFUSION EXPERIMENT"

HE TOLD ME I WILL NEED TO INJECT FOUR DIFFERENT LIQUIDS THREE TIMES DURING THE SEASON, EACH TIME JUST AFTER CLICKING MY HEELS FOUR TIMES WHILE REPEATING THE WORDS" WHEE OH MAMMA DUNK "

I HOPE IT WORKS.
PAP

12/7/2008 9:40:05 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Are you sure it isn't just hang the jug over the back of your hand and have another nip and admire it growing in the patch, Pap?

I still think we're within two years, weather permitting, the seeds are out there.

12/8/2008 8:21:32 AM

Team Munson

I must agree with Andy it will be on a seed that hasn't even been grown yet. It could quit possibly be grown by a grower who has yet to try this madness.

I gazed into the magical crystal ball at my palm readers and asked this question and this is what I was told.

The mother seed to the first 1 ton fruit will be from the 1,878 Stelts (did you really think I would pick someone else's fictional seed LOL) which came from the 1,832 McKie (it was 38% heavy) X 1,791 Jutras, the 1 ton fruit was pollinated with the 1,953 Werner which is a 1,901 Sherwood X 1,805 Landry.

The grower of the first 1 ton fruit... a beautiful 2,002# fruit by Ron & Dick Wallace, yes lighting will strike twice first 3/4 ton then 1 ton, so now that I have ruined the excitement let's get the real dreaming going.

We are speculating on the back line genetics but the real question is the actual fruit size it will come from. Kinda boggles the mind right now at the weights we must conquer first, then again I said the same thing in the mid 90's when we talked about 1,500#'s.

12/8/2008 9:28:50 AM

Lymington UK

Probably the best way to get to the 2000lb mark will be to get our eyes out of the patch and look at how for e.g. growers like JD control their growing conditions. Clearly in 2007 the weather was great for many growers and it showed in the weights, three over 1600lb and all from different seeds. 2008 turned out to be less favourable weather and the weights although great were down. So how can we add a few hundred pounds to most of our pumpkins? Simply improve our growing conditions.
Our 1124lb 2006 British record was 108 days old and still growing when she went to the weigh off
Our 1188lb 2007 British record was 114 days old and still growing when she went to the weigh off
Our 1457lb 2008 British record was 127 days old and still growing when she went to the weigh off
So it might be that we for instance grow fewer plants, but those fewer plants get the red carpet treatment.

12/8/2008 2:59:27 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

That's a good point Ian. I think I recall hearing that Craig Weir only grew 2 plants per year, and he was one of the best growers when he was growing.

12/8/2008 5:02:24 PM

Hamburg, NY

J.D. Very well said. Reminds me of my "Forward" for Don Langevin's #II book! "...there are no real limitations for mankind"... I'm very pleased to see this thread and feel the imput is a full level above what it was last year. This is how we're going to get to 2K. Eddy, you bring the best out in people! Ray Waterman

12/9/2008 3:02:59 PM

Colorado

I thought we'd have to level out after 1000-1200 lbs.I was wrong on that one.have we leveled out at 1689-who knows.Its going to be fun finding out.Its amazing what has been grown the last two years.theres a lot of great genetics out there but just as importantly theres a lots of hardworking growers pushing the envelope.2009-cant wait to see what happens

12/9/2008 5:47:56 PM