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Framingham, MA

(1) Is a hybrid a plant that won't reproduce true to the parent(s) but has to be continually recrossed to get the seeds to produce the desired hybrid?

(2) I've noticed that Burpee, Dill, and New England Seed Company all have the Prizewinner seeds for sale and that this plant is a hybrid. Does this mean all three of these companies do the same cross?

(3) PVP (Plant Variety Protection) is for 20 years. In the case of multiple companies selling seed for the same hybrid, e.g. Prizewinner and Big Moon, does this mean the PVP has expired (is over 20 years old)?

6/21/2005 9:37:03 PM

Mocksville, NC

I could be wrong if I am I'm sure yu'll see a bunch more replies ok. at the least you will get the right answers.

(1)No true giant pumpkin or AG breeder exist. A hybrid is a hybrid. A cross of two hybrids should compliment each others traits hopefully with vigor, color or size. But you dont have to cross the plant. It can be self pollinated to create a more pure line of a hybrid.

(2) Prizewinner seeds are hybrids there in one big patch, and open pollinated togther the seeds obtained are still prizewinner seeds. I'm sure there is some sort of control over the process enclosure or what ever.

(3) Howard dill this year declined to renew his PVP. After holding it for I think 17 or 18 years.

You could back cross to the original parents, but they still would be a hybrid. I was up late and could be way off base, but should stir up some answers take care. RogNC.

6/22/2005 1:01:54 AM

Framingham, MA

Thanks Rog for your response. A couple more questions:

(1) I haven't seen the Big Max labeled as a hybrid anywhere. Does this mean that it is an actual cultivar as opposed to a hybrid?

(2) This Goliath Pumpkin looks like an AG to me: http://www.goemerchant1.com/index.cgi?PageToView=catalog&Department=29152&23961108255392&Merchant=PremierStarCompany&ExpandedDepts=29148
Is this on the market because Howard Dill did not renew his PVP?

(3) The reason I'm asking all the basic genetics questions is that this fall I am enlarging my garden and next spring want to start growing two large pumpkin vines of the same variety and will cross-pollinate them. Each succeeding year I want to save the resulting seeds and keep trying to improve shape, color, and size. I want a variety or cultivar that will breed true in succeeding generations as long as I do hand-pollination and keep the bees out of the picture. Because my max garden size will be 25 feet by 25 feet I am leaning towards large pumpkins (e.g. Big Max, Big Moon, Prizewinner) rather than AG's. Another constraint is that I'm simply not capable of moving a 1,000 lb pumpkin even with the help of my middle-aged neighbors.

6/23/2005 8:08:28 AM

Mocksville, NC

Big max has been around a long while,and its not a hybrid.

Goliath is some sort of hybrid I'm not sure what I've seen pic's, and seeds for them. They look great and orange.

If you hand pollinate they will be true, and the seeds you save they will be true too! I've done it. And good results year after year. Save the best of the bunch, for the following year, and keep doing that. You will just make the specises stronger,bigger better. Good Luck Rog.

6/25/2005 4:47:52 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

I dont agree with your Hybrid theory. Most hybrids can not be self pollinated to create a more pure strain. If this was true Big Zac Tomatoes, and all the other hybrids we grow for commercial purposes would not have to be purchased. A Hybrid x self is exactly that you do not know what you will get.

6/25/2005 10:18:13 PM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

Most new o.p. varieties are the result of a hybrid cross that has been selfed/sibbed until pure enough to breed true.

6/26/2005 3:28:35 AM

Framingham, MA

Thanks for all the replies. I think next year I will grow two Big Max plants with seed from two different sources and cross-pollinate by hand and then continue next year with seeds from each plant, and so on.

Rog, I saw your dog in your grower's dairy. Cute! He looks like he is taking his security responsibilities seriously.

6/28/2005 9:16:21 AM

Mocksville, NC

Yeah he will tear a limb off. If ya get to close! Ha.
Thanks Steve.

6/29/2005 7:49:43 PM