1220 & 695 Johnson Root Systems

I did some test plantings of the 1220 Johnson (1421 Stelts x 220 Debacco) & 695 Johnson (1775 Starr x 1725 Harp) seeds a few weeks ago.  Today I took the plants out of their pots to see what the root systems looked like on them.  The 695 plant (the pollinator was the world record plant that grew the 2,009lb pumpkin) which is on the left hand side of the picture is a week younger but you'll note it has a nice looking root system with some very large roots at the bottom.   The 1220 equally has a nice looking root system (pollinator was the 220 Debacco) and the plant was a very nice looking, stocky plant that grew quickly.  I think these seeds could do well this year.

1220 Johnson Giant Pumpkin Seed

I germinated a couple of the 1220 Johnson seeds this week.  The one pictured here is a very nice looking plant.  I also have a 695 Johnson germinated but that seed hasn't popped through the ground yet.  I tried to germinate six of the 119 Johnson seeds (this is the 1421 crossed with the world record 1725) but non of those seeds germinated.  Very disappointed.  I guess the pumpkins were just too young.  I'm going to try a few more but it doesn't look like those will be viable.

I was out at the patch today watering the rye grass and noticed that almost all of the 1200 pounds of pumpkin that I tilled into that patch there is nearly no signs of now.  The biology in the patch has nearly eaten it all up in just two weeks.  Pretty amazing.