From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Dayton, OH

This is my first time growing. I bought some seeds last year on ebay, and grew them this season. A couple of weeks ago, one of my 2 big pumpkins rotted. This week my other one got soft on the bottom. I weighed almost 350 pounds, which I realize is pretty small compared to others on this site, but I thought it was really neat. My question is, are the 400+ seeds from this pumpkin worth keeping? If so, what do I do with them?

Thanks,
Alan

<img>http://www.sobecki.net/PictureSpace/pumpkin.jpg</img>

8/11/2005 8:21:46 PM

Dayton, OH

I will try the picture again, if it doesn't work, you can just paste the text in your browser.

<img src="http://www.sobecki.net/PictureSpace/pumpkin.jpg" border="0" />
Thanks again,
Alan

8/11/2005 8:26:54 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

I started five years ago with catalog AG seeds. I still have a few around and have planted them every year for fun. Sometimes nice results sometimes not.

So if you decide to keep them make sure they are dry then store them and/or givr them away to friends.

8/11/2005 9:33:05 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I can't throw seeds away eve if they aren't first grade genetics. Instead I keep a few in my pocket whenever I go somewhere I might meet a potential new grower. Seeds in my glove box, desk drawer at work, cash register, a couple packets in my junk drawer in the kitchen, the refrigerator at work.

Mostly I give them to the Scouts or my son's school friends in the hopes they'll get their parents hands dirty.

8/11/2005 10:12:47 PM

Napa Ca.

I spent close to $300.00 this year on some good seeds and the way its turning, my largest AG to date is a seed that was given to me. People really appreciate these seeds Tremor. You never know what your going to produce. samdog

8/12/2005 12:22:44 AM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

What's that thing growing on top of the pumpkin? There's got to be a spray or something to get rid of those :-)

8/12/2005 12:28:14 AM

Cincinnati,OH

If the pumpkin wasnt open pollinated I would save them. If it was you can get free seeds from growers here in the fall.
There are plenty of growers who would love for someone to give their seed a shot.

8/12/2005 3:48:21 PM

Dayton, OH

Sorry, but being new to this I don't know all the terms. I planted 2 seeds from the same pumkin and let them grow. We did not artificially pollinate any of the flowers, and had 4 total pumpkins. What is open pollination?

Thanks,
Alan

8/12/2005 4:18:32 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

"Open pollination" = the bees transfered the pollen from the male to the female flowers.

"Closed pollinations" are whenever we the growers exclude ALL possible insects that could carry pollen. So both male & female genetic sets are known.

Self pollination is using male pollen from the same plant the female your are pollinating is located.

"Sibling pollination" (Sib for short) is growing 2 seeds from the same pumpkin & using male pollin from one sibling to pollinate a female on the other sibling.

"Cross pollination" is using seeds from 2 genetically different pumpkins & using male from one on the female of the other.

Growers try to use their knowlege of growing behavior (the plants, not their own. LOL) to enforce or remove specific traits in the hopes of advancing the species. Good breeder have advanced this "sport/hobby" dramatically & this trend should continue.

8/12/2005 5:08:34 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Alan, Yes, you have an open pollination.

I sometimes get too wordy to answer a direct question. LOL

8/12/2005 5:09:44 PM

Dayton, OH

Thanks for everything. I really look forward to growing pumpkins and see that this site will help a ton. Can't wait to start again next year with some more info going in.

Thanks again,
Alan

8/12/2005 10:13:39 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Moose, watch this site thru the late fall and winter and more seeds than a sane man could plant in a lifetime will show up for the price of postage and bubble packs. One of the greatest parts of this site is the generosity of other AG nuts, they freely offer seeds from excellent genetic background AG's and excellent information to help out us nu-B's. Grow 'em big!!! Peace Wayne

8/13/2005 6:26:09 AM