From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Ohio

I'm not much of a bubbler sender and if I want to grow a seed that year I just ask for it, and 9 times out of 10 will grow that seed. Only down side of this is that sometimes it makes it very hard to get a seed your looking for because the grower has run out. This is one reason why you see me on the seed exchange board looking for seeds all the time,,lol!!

How many of you like to send out alot of bubbles just so this doesnt happen?
Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong at all about sending out alot of bubbles.
And just for fun I was wondering what is the most bubbles you have sent out after a season to other growers?
My average is maybe 5 to 10 a season, how about you guys/gals?

11/11/2009 5:07:12 AM

Riverton, WY

I usually try to limit myself to about 5 a year. If I do a good job of researching, I usually end up with a couple seeds that do well or become a hot seed eventually...... often not the seed I was requesting, but one a generous grower threw in as an extra.

11/11/2009 7:08:25 AM

Minnesota

6, 2 years ago, for some reason (my first real atemp at growing these)I thought if I wanted to growa giant pumpkin I had to have as many seeds as I could get.

11/11/2009 7:22:57 AM

10-15. Stock up on seeds. Many of them will become HOT!

Martin

11/11/2009 7:37:56 AM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Only a few now-a days. If I send one out it is very likely to see dirt by either me or a member of our club.

11/11/2009 7:49:32 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

Ive sent out a lot of them. I figure that if I PLAY my cards right and cross them right people will be asking for my seeds.

11/11/2009 8:24:01 AM

[email protected]

I used to send out a dozen or so a year, but now I only send to growers that I know I will put their seed in the dirt. I have always backed up the concept of letting the growers control their seeds instead of a seed monger controlling them.

I remember back a few years ago when Joe Pukos's 805 got very hot. Joe himself had run out, and the PGPGA had about 10 of them left. We sent most of them back to Joe as it was his generous gift that helped us raise a few hundred bucks off his seed. Pretty sad when a grower ends up asking for one of his own seeds while 50 people or more have it in their libraries of seeds!

11/11/2009 8:52:07 AM

[email protected]

Oh, also I am a huge advocate of club seed distributions. This is a wonderful way to get the seed out and let the money go to a club instead of an individual.

11/11/2009 8:53:43 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

If I want to have 5 plants, I make a list of 10 seeds that I'd like to try. That doesn't mean that I send 10 bubbles, as I am a member of one club, and I also try to grow my own seeds. I send only about 5 or so bubble requests each year. And if you get a request from me, it's because I intend to plant it.

Usually I avoid the big name growers unless I have developed a personal relationship with them... I figure they already have hundreds of requests to deal with. I've never paid for a seed, but there is one seed out there that I might just splurge on... at an auction.

11/11/2009 10:15:46 AM

Glosta

My first season here and Ive only sent 2 bubbles so far, I have a couple on reserve for 2 more seeds i would like to try, and 1 bubble for LG seeds. I will always plant what I have, I am reserving 2 spots for older genetics and 2 for newer. there is always that one seed that you'll go the extra mile for, everyone has one and a limit to what they'll do to get it, but collecting the entire AG genetic code is not for me.

11/11/2009 11:06:23 AM

montgomery,AL

This was my 3rd year trying to grow Giant pumpkins. The first 2 years - probably 10. Last year- 3. Don't want to be greedy, but want good seeds. Sometimes can"t help the alour of the latest and greatest but; don't want boggard seeds that will never see dirt. Thanks.

11/11/2009 11:12:44 AM

Dover, DE

This will be my first year and i've sent out about 8 or so bubbles. As AL grower said, not trying to be greedy, but want good seed. I will probably limit to 2-3 bubbles next year...lol

11/11/2009 11:20:44 AM

Midway, UT

I only try to ask for seeds that I intend to grow. I've been fortunate to get some great seeds from growers in the past so as of yet I haven't had to stock up. Wish I had more spots to plant however because there are to many interesting seeds and potential crosses. My intention is to start growing more of my own seeds down the road. Almost no viable seeds from my pumpkin two years ago and pumpkins wiped out by hail this year haven't allowed me to do that yet.

11/11/2009 11:33:01 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

I try to ask for what I'll grow... donations to club seedbank... and this year, donations for auction. So several. Some ask to trade; etc. I do try very hard to ask nicely first before sending that bubble, I don't want someone to be holding an empty bubble going 'where did it come from'! Passing the kindness around, yes.

11/11/2009 12:10:32 PM

Honesdale Pa USA

If you send it I will grow it in my "field of dreams"!

11/11/2009 12:12:39 PM

Cedar Lake, IN.

I have a plan for each seed I ask for. In case something goes wrong it's nice to have an extra seed. For that matter if something goes right it's nice to have an extra seed.

11/11/2009 1:11:41 PM

Dover, DE

I totally 100% agree with kurty

11/11/2009 1:16:26 PM

Columbus,ohio

Last year I was a bubble junky. This year I might send out 5.

11/11/2009 1:39:42 PM

canal winchester ohio

Years ago I used to send many out ( like most of us did), but this will be the third year in a row that I haven't sent any out. When I did send out & didn't use the "hot" seeds I would give them to the SOGPG for the auction but now it's different & the clubs are helped out by the growers supplying to them. I'm like Brooks as if I've ever wanted one I would plant I seem to find it & I also now get my seeds thru the bulk sells like Paps & others. I got some great seeds from your raffle last year Brooks. Things have changed & we have to change with it.

11/11/2009 2:23:45 PM

Massillon, Ohio

last year i sent out only ONE; yes i realize i was adding to his over-stuffed mailbox thus annoying him while begging and pleading and offering up my first born for that one special 2007 seed. he sent it!! i then almost peed my pants of course. what an angel! how do these guys remain so patient??!!

11/11/2009 9:38:14 PM

No Place Special

I used to be bubble king. Anymore I just send a couple and mostly just to those I plan to plant. Can put me out of the future big dogs though but usually u tell someone u will plant it, they come through for ya.

11/11/2009 10:05:49 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Great post Brooks..and I used to send out o plenty!!! Now the only one's I send are to try and gather seeds for our KGPG auction, plus a couple of non AG seeds that I find interesting!!! I also send out seeds of non AG stuff to several folks each year. I also participate in the Giant Veggie Exchange every year!!! Great package!!! Peace, Wayne
BTW...after major computer failure (total motherboard burnout, including erasure of hard drive)...any HH willing
to donate seeds to the KGPG auction can email me @ [email protected] you Brooks!!! LOL Peace, Wayne

11/11/2009 10:10:47 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

nowdays i only send bubbles for what i intend to plant. so that makes 3 bubbles this year.

11/12/2009 1:51:27 PM

Adams County

this year one , and hoping to send a second if things go right this winter. both seeds will hit dirt in the spring.

11/12/2009 8:19:07 PM