From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Las Cruces NM

OK, this has been nagging me for some time, and I'm sure someone is going to say "all" but really, how much of a giant is due to genetics, how much to environment, how much to growing skills, and how much to luck?

10/6/2009 10:43:03 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

20/20/40/20

10/7/2009 9:00:31 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Good answer, that's about where I would put it.

10/7/2009 12:44:41 PM

Macomb County

Genetics are 100%, without them, it doesn't matter how skilled and lucky a grower is. With them, the state is a big factor.

In NM and other Southwestern and the Southern states, it's normally too hot, too far North and the season is too short.
While in most parts of the Pacific Northwest, it's too rainy. Skilled growers in those regions need to have a lucky season.

Whereas, according to farming reports,Indiana is now the top pumpkin growing state. A band that includes Ohio and Southern New England. Better luck, but we witness the fierce skill level between those growers every year.

To answer your question, I'd say look at your state or country, like in Europe, records as your best guide. It's simply not fair to judge a grower in the Netherlands next to a grower from Mass. Or Florida next to Southern Michigan.

10/7/2009 1:14:06 PM

Pataskala,OH

30/10/50/10

10/7/2009 3:03:49 PM

Farmville, Virginia ([email protected])

I totally disagree with giantjack. Yes genetics play a part but there are TONS of good seeds out there capable of growing a monster. Without knowledge of how to grow and cooperating weather you can hang it up. Think about it, you have a 1068 Wallace or 998 Pukos but have no idea how to properly grow a giant pumpkin...are you telling me that just because the genetics are the best out there that you will get huge pumpkin. I think not. I think Orangeneck has it close. I would say 20/30/40/10

10/7/2009 5:44:48 PM

Macomb County

When I speak of genetics, you made the point. You have to have AG genetics, Big Max or Prizewinner's won't do. Then you have to have good AG genetics.

Now once you have that, the whole scene changes. You have to develop the skill. Now that you have that, regardless your skill. In the best states, freak hail storms, flooding, too many overcast days, a den of woodchucks can knock you out of contention overnight.

Once you have the skill, you're forced to deal with luck. Including the luck of not having your pumpkin split, etc.
Any number of growers go down every season and not for a lack of growing skill.

10/7/2009 6:31:00 PM

Farmville, Virginia ([email protected])

Thanks for clarifying your post. The first one did not read like that at all!

10/7/2009 7:05:34 PM

[email protected]

80% water
20% magic

10/7/2009 7:49:45 PM

Las Cruces NM

Well, I'm thinking Nic is closer to right, it is mostly genetics and skill. Skill and genetics can overcome environment (i.e., more heat tolerant genetics or skill in employing misters to control heat) and luck (hail and wind comes to mind but skill says you protect. AS for luck with bad genetics, you going to need a bunch LOL. I have normal AG and the same as I grew in MD as in NM. I didn't keep stats but the really grew about the same sizewise (although I had to put much more effort into them in NM -- much more!). I'm bent on growing with great genetics next year so I'll find out (assume my luck, environment, and skills are constants)!

10/7/2009 8:09:07 PM

Las Cruces NM

And although he didn't answer the question, I do like tremor's answer too LOL.

10/7/2009 8:11:18 PM

Denver, CO

Genetic has got be the foundation. Everything else builds on that. I would answer it like 100% gentetics to begin with and then subdived the other catergories after that, 50% enviroment, 40% skills and 10% luck.

As a test, think about trying to grow current day world record pumpkin using a previous world record breaking seed. Say the 940 Mombert (broke record in 01') or the 845 Bobier (Broke world record in '00). It would be almost impossible to get to 1700 pounds using these seeds.

But, this does not mean you have to have a 1385 Jutras or a 1068 Wallace or 998 Pukos. There are probably more seeds out thier right now then ever capable of growing a world record. Most sit in a drawer and never get planted.

10/8/2009 12:01:11 AM

Colorado

genetics 100% ,soil 33%,weather 33%,pruning 33%

10/8/2009 11:40:36 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

in 2007 i grew my 434 seed to 502 pounds. in 2008 i grew my 434 seed to 382.5 pounds. in 2009 1 grew two 434 seeds and i expect one over 1000 and another over1100. luck? no not with 2 from same seed same year. environment? no not with east coast weather this year. genetics? no not with it being from the same seed as last 2 years. increase in grower skills? bingo

10/8/2009 1:56:53 PM

Las Cruces NM

That is interesting! Seeds from the same plant rarely yeld the exact same result and another observation (maybe a bit far fetched) might be old seed grows better. Joking aside (or maybe not?), what happened in 2008 to backslide? And what did you do to improve this year? Also, curious why you didn't go with your 502, that is the age old practice of saveing seeds from the best fruit year after year? However, haveing said that, yea, the 998 apeared to be a regression loosing 2/5 of its weight potential hence, rejected, but I'm sure glad someone saw potential! So with that, the question is what you saw in your 434 seed?

10/8/2009 11:44:19 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

the 502 was 434 crossed with 500 northrup, but it produced a turd looking pumpkin first year out. i stick with the 434 because it is 1230 daletas x 603.5 muller and produces orange pumpkins that are superior to the 603.5. the 382.5 was a late pol. backup plant after i lost last year's 603.5 muller.

10/9/2009 10:53:27 AM

Las Cruces NM

Thanks orange one ... that does shed the light--thanks!

10/9/2009 3:16:00 PM

Rhode Island

to me it all goes hand in hand.
a great seed in the wrong hands will do very little.if your not into gardening or never had a garden before? chances are you will not be happy with your results early on.
great weather will only help a inferior seed so far. the seed is the first key.it needs to be proven .
luck? luck is having a hail storm pass all around you but missing your patch.
and then theres always that dud in the bunch pick. not all sees from a proven winner will duplicate their mothers results. theres always a few that do not produce no matter how great the seed stock.

10/10/2009 7:15:02 AM