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Missouri Wine Country

Springwater, you where the first to figure it out. I have spent the last three weeks reading ever blog I could find on this wonderfull site that I have quickly figure out is one huge family of friends that help everyone, beginner or pro in the AG world. Yes, I am a beginner and I won the coveted 1810 Stevens seeed. Last year I grew pumpkins, many types, a few generic AG dills from the Howard Dill site that were 5 years old(It took that long for me to get them planted). I have wanted to get started for years but weather and site selection had put the start off for serval years. Last year's growing season(pollinating my first plants) gave me the pumpkin bug (no pun intended) and I decided I was ready to jump in, so I bought some raffle tickets and won. So let's say I'm a freshman.
Chris, thank you for your donation to the raffle, I'm honored to win. When I won I didn't know the history behind this seed other than it was from the world record pumpkin, I didn't know about the seed count that the pumpkin had or realized what I had actually won. Once I found out I won, I was afraid to anounce that I was a beginner. I quickly decided that I needed to go to Niagara Falls to learn more than the little I knew and meet some of the pros. I'm eager to learn, I'm already addicted to the point that after reading the blogs I dream and can't sleep cause my mind is constantly refreshing the stuff I have been reading on this site. TNTammy I think I read something like that from you.

I hope that I can hold up my end of winning this seed (and others that I have obtained) and keep the genetics of it moving forwards.

I look foward to meeting and blogging with as many of you as possible in the future. Advice will be welcome, as I will be asking for lots. I have alittle background in vining plants but they are of the woody type, we have 185 acres of grapes.

It has been a pleasure reading the blogs, best to ALL in 2011.

Thanks, TmVidal
Missouri Wine Country

2/28/2011 11:50:54 PM

Colorado

Tm one thing you might consider is to hang on to that seed and grow it in 2012 once youve got a season of experiance with the atlantic giants.If you cant wait then you should practice sprouting some lowes AG seeds and propigating the seedlings indoors .

3/1/2011 12:44:22 AM

Western NY

TV congrats on winning the seed. Can't wait to meet you in Niagara. I am also a new grower and I thought about this alot. I would be terrified with the stress of getting it sprouted and grown without any problems. IMO the best thing to do is get as much pollen in the right hands to further the sport. Either way enjoy the ride because it will be wild.

3/1/2011 5:22:28 AM

Muddy Waters

Is your soil ready?soil test,amendments etc.Do you have disease issues in your area.I would have to answer these, no to soil being ready,and yes to disease issues.If I had 1810 or a 1161 or a 1421.5 stelts I would wait to 2012.I will work on weed control,soil amendments(talk to HH on what they use)in soil.Put that seed in a mini zip lock bag & place in a perscription bottle & put in freezer.tell your family if they touch it you will brake there chubby little digits.lol Thats exactly what I am doing this year,I will be growing 10 watermelons on half my patch.NO KINS Good Luck,grasshopper

3/1/2011 7:11:11 AM

Rhode Island

joe gave you the best advise you could ever receive,
unless you have an experienced proven grower to help you during the season? you should hold onto the seed until such time as you can do the most with it.

3/1/2011 7:59:02 AM

SW Ohio

Congratulations on winning the raffle! I hope to meet you in Niagara.

3/1/2011 8:04:29 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Handy, I am 1 hour away from him and yes there is lots of insect and disease pressure. Vine Borers have 2 cycles and there are plenty of squash bugs, mites etc...

TM, this is my first year too growing proven seeds. Last year I grew a generic AG, and found this site in June randomly. Since then, I have joined a growers club, bought 2 of Don Langevin's books, and met some really good people who have helped me out a ton for my first "true" year of growing in 2011. We are in kind of a unique area being in a transitional zone of the southern and northern states. You need to keep that in mind because one thing that might work way up north or far south doesn’t mean it will work here. The first thing I can recommend for you is to get a soil test. There are so many critical factors in growing these monsters and good soil is key.

BTW, I spent a lot of time radiotracking fish on the Missouri Riv. years ago in Hermann... some really pretty country you have there. Luke

3/1/2011 8:53:46 AM

The bottom of New Jersey

Tm, first congratulations, there are hundreds of growers who would sell their first born for that seed, lol. I have to agree with the others who have said wait a year to grow it, unless you can find an experienced heavy hitter in your area to work with you. You obviously have a lot of horticultural experience, but these plants are like nothing else in the plant world. I was an experienced gardener when I started growing AGs, was lucky enough to get an 842 Eaton seed my first year, and promptly crashed and burned with it. Heck, that can even happen to experienced growers, so I would say learn all you can and gain AG experience before giving it your best shot. Good luck!

3/1/2011 9:13:11 AM

El Paso TX.

Tm - another option that you might not have thought of, if your feeling too much pressure on growing that seed (since IIRC there were only 8 viable seeds)or feel your not ready to try, might be to find an experienced grower with a proven track record and soil that is already in optimal shape to trade a few seeds with and let them grow that seed and get some great genetic seed (that isn't quite as scarce) from them to grow (figure pretty much any of the long time growers would have a very good selection of proven seeds that would give you several times the chance of growing a big one and I'm sure they'd swap several for that one seed !)
and you could also probably make a deal with them to split the seeds from the resulting pumpkin as part of the trade (Of course only if the plant does survive and produce which is never guaranteed - but is much more likely if grown by an experienced grower)- figure that way you get a much better chance of being set with great genetic seeds for the rest of your plantings in the future (If the seed doesn't produce you get several great genetic seeds from the HH you trade with and if it does grow you get some great genetic seed in the swap and also get half of the seed from the resulting pumpkin for future trades and to grow yourself - all without the pressure of growing that limited seed. Plus the experienced grower would have more connections with other growers so could arrange to get more of the male flowers used for pollinating other growers pumpkins getting better use of the genetic line (could probably arrange to get a few seeds from each pumpkin grown using the male flowers sent to you as well at the end of the season !)

Either way you decide to go with it congrats on the WIN.

3/1/2011 9:36:33 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

I think people here are giving great advice. Consider it carefully. It's like the rookie quarterback who, it would be better for him if he sat out a year rather than be expected to produce on day one.

Or, it may be like the 19 year-old LeBron James. Would you trade him for three proven all-stars and get a sure thing? One thing to consider is that the 1810, while very exciting, is just another unproven seed. It might not do nearly as well as we all hope it will.

In any case, it's your seed and I wish you the very best with it!

3/1/2011 11:09:41 AM

Massachusetts

what pap and cojoe said, save it until you get a grasp at growing these giants, if you feel like you have to grow it
(if it were me) i would at least self it, or find a grower close to you and let them help you,.... just my opinion, scott,,

3/1/2011 12:17:05 PM

Corbin, KY

Congratulation on a great win! I agree with JDFan. I had thought about what I would do if I had won. I think I would give it to an experenced grower in return for seeds, and pollen to others in return for seeds. If not in your case I would wait a year and see how things turn out.
Its your seed good luck either way you go. If you grow it have fun!

3/1/2011 1:31:48 PM

Missouri Wine Country

Thanks for the responses,I had pretty much decided on saving the seed for 2012 before starting this blog.

Patch is almost ready, most recent soil test should be back in time for Niagara, It was weed free last year,only bugs last year where the black and green bettles and a little black fly on the leaves. I have access to get all fungicides and insecticides needed, I understand preventative spray schedules, Vineyard background. I have miles of irrigation supplies from the vineyard. I have read the 4 books by Don so many times they need replacing.

I have 20 unproven seeds from 2010 all 1000+ plus that really big one. And plan on adding some more from 2009. I trained, buried, pruned, pollinated, culled, covered and measured last year. My biggest question will be the feeding program thoughout the year.

3/1/2011 2:07:43 PM

Michigan,up North

ID grow it this year. 2012 to far away ,who knows if the sun well be shining in 2012 you grew last year and been reading books,If you get a 500lber it well have seeds and the pollen you can cross your other kin with.

3/1/2011 4:33:37 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

TimV, first of all congrats on the BIG win!!! One feeding program that I know of is available at extremepumpkinstore.com Tom is an Extreme Grower!!! Peace, Wayne

3/1/2011 6:57:07 PM

Sparta, NC

I would grow it.

3/1/2011 7:25:17 PM

Western NY

JDFan hit my thoughts on the nose I just didn't have time to write them this morning.

3/1/2011 9:24:41 PM

Joliet, IL

Tim, congrats on the win. Whether you grow it this year or next, odds are you are not going to break the world record. No offense, but less experience and tougher southern conditions are my reasons for saying so. But if you get your soil right this year and learn how to best fight off your diseases like pm and good control of the squash vine borers, then next year you will have experience and the genetics to not only get your state record...but possibly shatter it. And you will also have more seed starting experience to have a better chance of getting it to pop successfully. But what ever you do, remember to also have fun with it. Hopefully the heavy hitters growing the 1810 will make good crosses which will perpetuate the good genetics with more seeds to go around. The pressure of growing the 1810 as a newer grower I am sure has crossed your mind, but remember, the only real pressure should come from within. Take advice, listen to others ideas, then pull the trigger and do what you think is best for you. Hopefully when ever you do grow it, it produces you a monster with a lot of seeds. And enjoy the experience number one.

3/2/2011 10:00:11 AM

Minnesota

Share the pollen when you do grow it.

3/2/2011 12:59:35 PM

Lexington, Ky

Grow that bad boy! If someone pops an 1811 next year, you'll never hear about the 1810 again!

Strike while the iron is HOT.

3/2/2011 1:04:11 PM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

I would find a heavy hitter grower who has access to many other top notch seeds and try to secure an undisclosed amount of very well proven seeds in an exchange/trade. Also convince that grower you would like seeds from the crosses made with it. You increase your odds to grow a large pumpkin through quantity and quality above growing just one well sought after WR seed.

3/2/2011 1:16:37 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Please let me know if you do grow it.

3/2/2011 2:44:52 PM

Muddy Waters

If you grow it make sure your soil is ready!I wasted a lot of 935s.looking back my soil wasnt ready!

3/2/2011 4:29:30 PM

Martinsburg, Pa

life's to short to wait!!! good luck tm

3/2/2011 4:47:20 PM

Loudonville Oh

tm you did not win the 1810stevens, you bought it. If you paid 1500 dollars at auction would you consider trading it for a handfull of less sought after seeds? You asked for advice. Here's mine. Live your own life, and don't let others quilt-ride you into doing something you might regret later on. When Cris Stevens put his 1810 for raffle the odds were that it would end up in the hands of a non-heavy hitter. Thats the way it goes. Good luck!!!

3/2/2011 7:14:25 PM

Des Moines, Iowa

Grow it, soil is only one variable weather has so much to do with giant pumpkins. 2011 might be the best year in Miss. history. Go big or go home

3/2/2011 7:34:40 PM

Wisconsin

I agree with Zville.. do not trade to a "heavy-hitter" for a handfull of less sought after seeds! Pap...as always...has the best advice. Learn everything you can and plant it when you are confident that you can give it your best shot. Good luck and congratulations!

3/2/2011 7:36:05 PM

Gays Mills,WI

TmVidal, Congrats on winning the 1810. If I was you I would grow it. You already have some experience and it sounds like you are learning a bunch. I would not even think about trading it. That would defeat the whole purpose of you buying the raffle tickets. It dont matter what you grow off it,its all about having fun so dont feal pressured. If I was you I would start off with one plant for your first year. Grow the 1810 and self pollinate it and baby it as much as you can all season. If you want a bunch off seeds to practice germination methods with let me know. Good Luck in 2011 and beware this hobby is very addictive.

3/2/2011 7:36:08 PM

Gays Mills, Wisconsin

it is okay to try to grow it.
maybe a decent cross or self it and
a lot of growers will value any genetic result you come up with, whether you grew a 200 pounder or a 2000 pounder. There are no guarantees with whatever you do so don't stress it. Good luck

3/2/2011 7:36:32 PM

Littleton, Colo

Timbo....lizten to Cojoe and Paps......you learn so much after the firzt year....and the learning will never stop.....I wanna see you suc'seed'.....search out Joe Scherber in Niagara....pick hiz mind and the food out of hiz mustache........

3/2/2011 9:35:22 PM

Polson, Montana

i would save till all is right. This is a once in a lifetime seed honor that and do it justice.

3/2/2011 10:04:26 PM

Rapid City, SD

every year there are seeds produced........and every year there are always seeds that has the potential MONSTER capabilities............not to mention how many seeds out there from past years have great potential also that just need to see dirt

so in that light.........there are other seeds out there right now and there will always be more produced

grow it and enjoy

who knows.......things can happen......mice could eat it......could get lost....etc...etc.

3/2/2011 11:45:26 PM

Missouri Wine Country

Only been posting for three days, what a blast! Wish I found this site last year when I grew my first generic AG seeds.

FYI, Waiting one year, not trading, not selling, after 2012 I'm sure I'll have lots of folks that have helped me along, at that point I'll have seeds to trade, some to donate and some give. There will be someone else just like me that gets "Bit by the AG Pumpkin Bug" to help get started. That is what I've learned from You all.

For those of you going to Niagara, I could use 6 or 8 good starter seeds for this year to get started.

At the end of 2011 I let everyone know my secret, at this point unproven but it will be fun researching it, it equals my name TmVidal, well I'll let you know if it worked or not!

3/2/2011 11:47:48 PM

New Zealand

youre a cool head bro to hang on to that seed for a year i'd be gagging but i'm sure it would be the wise move nothing like experience i'm pretty sure the muppets that suggested swapping it were only fooling ..... unless of course you want to give it to me i could dig up a hand full of crap seeds to swap you

3/3/2011 5:02:53 AM

(rocky) Bonney Lake Wa.

My suggestion would be A) Agree with the ones (Paps,CoJoe)
B) If you plan to grow it search out an experienced grower that hopefully isn't too far away from ya and use his or her knowledge to help you. Also like many have said if you are to grow it then take in every legitimate info you can on the best way to maximize what you have. Whichever you decide I wish you the BEST of luck.

3/3/2011 9:59:18 AM

Redmond, Washington; U.S.A.

feel the force luke.

3/3/2011 3:35:22 PM

East Jordan, MI

First of all -- Congratulations! In some ways I'm glad I'm not in your position, in other ways I envy you. If it were me I definitely wouldn't trade it. While I see the advantages of waiting, I tend to agree with matt - man the most and I've heard it said -- "grow the best you got this year", there will be new, bigger, better, more desireable seeds next year. The only thing else I can add is HAVE FUN! You'll never know till you try.

3/3/2011 10:19:03 PM

Puyallup, WA

Where you end up in the world of the giant pumpkin is largely determined by who you listen to.....and then follow his/her guidance. Select your "teacher" well!

3/3/2011 11:31:00 PM

Deer Park WA

For what its worth.. Yes you have one of the most sought after unproven seeds of the season past, as you are relativly new to the game I encourage you to grow the 1810 out and enjoy the beauty the plant will bring to your lives. Try not to be so concerned with what it will produce, but rather relish in the joy of producing it.

Congratulations,

3/4/2011 2:14:14 AM

Ashville, Ohio

what gadberry's said was probably best anyone could say it!

3/4/2011 11:44:12 AM

Kaukauna, Wisconsin

My Wife an I went to Niagara Falls and we had never been to a GPC pumpkin weigh off contest and I had never grown a pumpkin. The following year we grow the biggest pumpkin in the state.

3/6/2011 9:32:03 AM