Pumpkin Seed Selection

This is the Sophia's Choice time of year. The time of year when you have to make the tough choice for what pumpkin seeds to plant. A lot of great growers have been very kind to share some great seeds with me. After doing some pumpkin seed genetic research I have decided to go with the 1566 Rodonis (1450 Wallace x 1231 Pukos), 1450 Wallace (1068 Wallace x Sibb), 1350 Starr (985 Werner x 227 Leland) and the 1363 Werner (985 Werner x 1450 Wallace). There are about 5-6 other seeds, in particular the Van Kooten, Doucet, Grande, Mohr, Hooker, Zaychkowsky and Hunt seeds that I would love to plant but I only have 2 1/2 spaces so choices have to be made. The 1/2 space will be a pollinator which will be my 4-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son's plant. Some of the other seeds that didn't make the cut will see dirt next year, given back to the grower or will be traded.

I like the seeds that I will be planting because they have four main genetic lines that I believe are some of the best. I like the 1068 Wallace genetic lines because no seed has ever performed better with a world record and the second biggest pumpkin grown to date coming from it. The 1231 Pukos is the reverse cross of the 998 Pukos and you have to like those world record genetics. The 985 Werner I think is one of the top seven new super seeds (in my opinion the 1385 Jutras, 1566 Rodonis, 1161 Rodonis, 1350 Starr, 1041 McKie and 1689 Jutras all fit in that class) and may surpass 1068 with time. The 227 Leland has the great old school genetics with the 723 Bobier x 1370 Rose. The 723 Bobier probably was just as good a seed as the 1068 Wallace but was a head of its time in terms of grower technique.

I'm really look forward to this season. If I can get my sodium and phosphorous levels down in my patch some I think I'm in a position this year to get over the 1,000 pound mark. Only time will tell however. Lots can happen in a season.