From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Ashland, KY

Friends, I am confused about something (OK, about a LOT of things). But specifically, I notice that, and just for an example, the 1385.5 Jutras 07 currently is being auctioned, and this tells me it's a butt-kicking seed with great genetics, from a pumpkin that weighed 1385.5, and it appears that this seed will sell for for more than 60 bucks (the current bid price). BUT, on the other hand, one can buy a seed from a heavier pumpkin, like the 1575 Stevens for 40 bucks.

So, thats my confusion....why pay more for a seed that came from a smaller pumpkin? Does it have to do with the genetics? The parents of the Stevens vs. the parents of the Jutra?

Many thanks!
EP

4/9/2012 12:01:19 AM

West Sacramento Ca.

EP, you must be a brand new pumpkin grower to ask this question.some seeds have a proven record of growing big heavy pumpkins and some do not. The proven seed will demand a higher price. Scott

4/9/2012 12:57:11 AM

Massachusetts

Dear EP, RUN! What have you got yourself into, like mr.henkin said, the more (giant) pumpkins grown off a certain seed, the more the price jumps, and on the other hand, there is the newest trend, buy great looking seeds before they are proven, as not to pay tons of money for the seeds when they prove themselves out, and on your 3rd hand, limited seed counts on (giant) non-proven pumpkins will demand high $$$$, and on your 4th hand, you could ask the great growers themselves, sometimes they are very generous
(with their seeds), hope i confused you a lot more than needed lol.,and if you had more hands i would continue, lol scott.

4/9/2012 6:46:10 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

It is sort of like buying a car or any other item...you go with what you like.Some grow proven, some are out to prove based on a gut feeling. You need to determine what you are going to grow, and what you want the desired results to be. Some of us grow orange and pretty, and some grow on % heavy.
Seed auctions are a way to fund weigh offs.

4/9/2012 7:20:04 AM

Niagara Falls,NY

I don't know why you are worried about buying seeds any way, when there are so many growers who have great seeds who would gladly give them to you for the price of a bubble envelope. I would get some growing experience under your belt before spending money on seeds. It's a shame that new growers think they have to buy seeds to get involved in giant pumpkin growing. Seems like the list of people giving free seeds on the seed exchange site is getting smaller and smaller.

4/9/2012 7:30:36 AM

Webster, NY

EP, if you need some seeds send me an email.

[email protected]

I agree with punk'nlvr. The only real reason to buy seeds is to get something you really want but can't get for free. There are many people out there that would be happy to send you seeds. Just ask politly and you will probably do fine.

4/9/2012 7:54:34 AM

Somerset,Ky

EP I have some extra seesds too. Have some great plants going in if you need pollen.

4/9/2012 8:06:46 AM

Colorado

1385 is a proven seed and grew a 1725 world record.It has sold in the 300 dollar range many times

4/9/2012 11:30:40 AM

EP, if you go to pumpkinlink.com,the pumpkins' production can be seen. If you use the crosses section ,it will show you results either as a producer or pollinator. A lot of the best producers have not been the biggest pumpkins but had good genetics.

4/9/2012 11:32:36 AM

Stanwood, Washington

Were these seeds proven before they grew world records or are they just considered proven because of the one record? For instance the 1404 wasn't a proven seed until it grew the record last year. Now people are paying hundreds for it and it may well never produce one that big again. Also you have the 1385 mentioned which grew a world record but according to Pumkin Link it has been grown 121 times since and despite being grown by many of the top growers out there it has not grown a Pumpkin in the top 50 since. On the other hand you have a Pumpkin like the 1161 that managed to grow 3 pumpkins over 1600 in 2010 including the world record and followed it up with with a 1794 in 2011.

4/9/2012 12:19:57 PM

Minnesota

aggc.org, has seed info you, can also click on the hierarchy tree to see the genetics tree.

4/9/2012 12:49:14 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Look at what the 904 geneticZ line haZ produced.....

4/9/2012 12:51:23 PM

Webster, NY

The 985 Werner is considered a proven seed because it has grown many pumpkins well over a thousand pounds. I wouldn't consider it proven with just one hit like that, but I would consider it to have good potential.

4/9/2012 1:09:38 PM

Ashland, KY

Absolutely wonderful replies!!! Very informative and educational....I got the info I need.

Im a little hesitant to outright ask for seeds until I can prove that my hydroponic system can at least make a reasonable pumpkin (I'd be happy with 500 lbs!). I'd hate to make someone feel that they wasted their seed. These things are like currency!! I will use what I have going this year (7 have sprouted, and I have two more in the pipeline). I am very grateful for all the generosity, and I'll definitely tap into your kindness next year!
Thanks,
EP

4/9/2012 3:12:22 PM

Stanwood, Washington

Just because a seed has grown a world record does not mean that that seed is guarenteed to bring sucess when grown again. Its not like there is one seed that you have to have and all of the biggest pumpkins out there are being grown off of one seed. The last 7 world record holders have all been from diferent seeds with the exception of the 1161 none of those seeds were considered must have proven seeds at the time they broke the record. after breaking the record, those seven seeds immediately became the most grown seeds in the hobby and yet the only one that managed to produce a pumpkin larger than the original world record was the 1068 Wallace.

Most of them haven't even come close to the record weight that gained the seed its fame. the 998 Pukos grew the 1689 it has been grown over 70 times since and hasn't come within 200 pounds of the 1689. The 1354 Checkon grew the 1469 Checkon and the next closest since 1212 pounds. As I mentioned before the 1385 jutras grew the 1725 but hasn't topped 1571 since. In all likelihood the next world record is probabbly not going to come from a "proven seed" that someone spent $300 on in an Auction. It will come from some cross that has good genetics that someone planted themself or exchanged for free and then next year we will have a new seed that everyone is shelling out big bucks for.

4/9/2012 5:40:55 PM

Webster, NY

That is true Captain, but the 998 has grown (if I'm counting right) about 50 pumpkins over 1000 pounds. I wouldn't throw it out if I had one.

4/9/2012 5:50:45 PM

Stanwood, Washington

I wouldn't throw it out either. I am just saying I wouldn't go spending hundreds of dollars on "proven seeds". Especially when there are many great crosses out there which have just as much potential and can be had for the price of postage. Thats just my own philosphy though and I am certainly not a heavy hitter.

4/9/2012 5:59:29 PM

Minnesota

EP, do you need seeds? I have a few I can send you a few, great orange and a few with great genetics. Free of charge, I will pay postage. send your address to [email protected], I just went thru my seeds and these I have 2 of or can't see me growing in the near future.

4/9/2012 6:32:37 PM

Massachusetts

granted, there are many great crosses out there, but for people who do not have the space to grow 10 plants in the hopes it will grow a good one, i would stick to a seed that has proven itself, meaning it has grown several over 1,000 lbs. i would rather spend $200 on a seed that i know has the potential, than try a pot luck seed that might be sterile or have countless other problems, i spend hundreds of dollars on my 2 patches and i would not like to chance an unknown seed, but if you have the room for the plants great, if its your first year, then grow any seed, just to get the hang of things, then later you decide what to grow,,,. this is just the way i feel about growing,, captain could be correct in saying the next wr will come from some unproven seed, probably a new seed from last year??

4/9/2012 6:34:20 PM

Hinckley MN

Most seeds seem to have 2-3 years of top potential and then their returns diminish. 1161 Rodonis seemed to be an exception. The old proven seeds are still golden for genetic crosses. Is 1000lbs still the measure of a proven seed? we are closing in on 2000lbs, shouldn't the bar be raised?

4/9/2012 8:53:57 PM

Ashland, KY

Thanks Richard! I just sent an email.

EP

4/9/2012 9:01:26 PM

Massachusetts

if i had to guess, 50% or more of all growers have not reached 1,000 lbs. and most just dream of getting to a thousand, anything more than that is a bonus! no need to raise the bar, any seed 1,000 or over that produces several will do.

4/9/2012 9:26:34 PM

Somerset,Ky

If you need any help let the Van Hook Boys know. I grow
small pumpkins but I might be of some help form time to time.

4/9/2012 11:58:24 PM

Minnesota

I will mail them out tomorrow.

4/10/2012 12:29:43 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

EP, just in case you don't awlready know!!! The VanHOOK BOYS!!! Are the record holders in the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky!!! My nephew's John & James are top notch!!! Unkle, Enus!!!

4/10/2012 2:56:37 AM

Minnesota

Hi EP, do those pots you got your seedlings in come apart, is that is what is under the tape. I read your diary.

4/10/2012 9:42:26 AM

Ashland, KY

Yey Kentuckians! I look forward to meeting the Van Hook Boys and Wayne and everyone else one day!

EP

4/10/2012 10:32:33 PM

Ashland, KY

Hi Richard, Nope, they are empty Metamucil jugs, about 29 oz each. The next step is to transfer them out of the jugs and into a 2 gal hydroponic rig. I'll post that soon. I carefully carefully start running water into the seedling container until all the loose dirt is washed out, then I can lift the entire seedling out of the germination container, roots, dirt and all, and into the 2 gal container. I'll post images as they happen.
EP

4/10/2012 10:36:04 PM

Minnesota

I use 1/2 gallon milk containers, I cut the bottom off, cut the side from top to bottom, tape it back up, tape on the cover to the bottom, this is so you do not disturb the roots when transplanting into garden, simply remove the tape and the plant comes right out.

4/11/2012 1:54:35 AM