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Minnesota([email protected])

I've been growing for shiny orange, nice looking pumpkins, almost from the start. I've passed on growing the 1370 Rose( a highly proven seed), because it usually produced fruit that weren't up to my orange standard.
This year I've been contemplating growing proven size genetics, with a chance for decent orange color. Seeds such as the 1348 Hester, 1370 Rose, 904 Stelts(which I don't have), etc.
I keep wavering though. Do I wan't to grow seeds that are almost guaranteed to go shiny orange, or grow genetics more proven for size, with a better chance to destroy my personal best of 1041 lbs.? I realize I have to make the decision, but I'd like to hear your comments. Any orange growers that have been converted to grow for mainly size?

3/9/2010 10:04:09 PM

Claysburg , PA

Doug, I`ve been pretty much of a orange freak as well until this year. We have won the Howard Dill award twice and this year we are going for size BUT we are still putting a 772 Poirier and 810 Dill in the patch along with some big ugly producers . Big wins the money but I still love the looks of a beautiful orange pumpkin.

3/10/2010 6:40:12 AM

Des Moines, Iowa

Doug, I am like you I like orange, but I like big too. So I am going to grow two plants that are half proven orange / shiney and half proven big that most of the time go orange. 1004 Mohr (772 x 1317 rose) and 1293 Bhaskaran (904 x 1290) Try to get your own line going you could call it beauty and the beast.

Chad

3/10/2010 8:33:18 AM

Rhode Island

it all depends on what your likes are. the serious competition grower grows for size first. color and shape are a secondary concern and a bonus if you get some.

either way its a great hobby and sometimes you can get the best of both worlds.

case in point - there have been many weigh-off winning pumpkins that have had both winning size, good color and nice shape.

most of the top seeds today have a genetic tree that could give you both.

3/10/2010 8:52:21 AM

Clayton, Ohio, USA

The sky is blue.
Grass is green.
Pumpkins are salmon?

3/10/2010 11:12:50 AM

Jericho Vermont

I took a quick deviation last year but am heading back to orange again. They just look so much better on the front lawn. We have been working on an orange line for the past 5 years and it seems to be coming along nicely. There were 3 pumpkins grown off it last year and 2 out of the 3 were beautiful and all went 8% heavy to the charts or better. We crossed this with the 1385 last year, so we will see if it produces beauty or the beast. LOL

3/10/2010 11:57:06 AM

Lake Elmo, Minnesota

Yes, the sky is blue, the grass is green and pumpkins are orange.......not white, beige, salmon or green tinged. I'll take a 1,000 pound beauty over a 1600 pound nasty-looking pumpkin any day.

3/16/2010 10:26:46 AM

New Zealand

i like orange pumpkins too, but as a new grower im not sure what is regarded as a real orange or just orangey.
i have pics in my diary, its not the biggest pumpkin, but then im still learning how to grow.
would be nice to get feed back on shape and colour regarding the asthetics (looks) of this pumpkin.
i see that the really big ones are funny colours and funny shapes.
thanks

3/19/2010 2:16:25 AM

New Zealand

ps.
since last photo on diary, the covers have been removed to give it a suntan, and is darker now than in photo

3/19/2010 2:20:52 AM