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Madisonville, TN

While looking through our seed stocks I ran across the packet for the very first AG seed that Cheyenne and I grew back in 2003. They were from Weeks Seed Company. They grew a few 80 pound kins and were just mixed in with the other garden plants. There is one seed left in the pack. How does everyone think an old seed, if I can get it to germinate, would do if grown by a experienced grower today?

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=231515
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=231514

11/2/2014 11:13:51 AM

Northern California Foothills

The same as any other AG.

11/2/2014 12:11:15 PM

Mtn. Green, Utah

In my opinion, I believe that the genetic potential of this seed is greatly limited based not only on the age but also because it was never a competition seed in the first place. It would be the equivalent of entering a stock Toyota Camry in the Daytona 500. It may be fun to drive and you may get around the track, but I don't think it'll keep up no matter who is drivin' it. Not trying to be negative here and I certainly wouldn't tell you what to plant. It would make a fun and interesting experiment.

11/2/2014 2:35:06 PM

Upa Creek, MO

I grew Lowes AG's in 2010 and they all matured early and 100 pounds was about the norm. With this fast paced selective\accelerated "breeding", 2003 genetics would have much less potential. Like Matt said, they were most likely not competition seeds and mass produced\grown just for bulk seed sale.

11/2/2014 4:49:17 PM

Madisonville, TN

I'm sure the genetics is sub par. I was wondering how much of a difference proper growing techniques would make. The original plants grew a few kins to 80 pounds. We are going to try to grow the seed to see if we could get one into the 300-400 pound range. It is more of an experiment to see how much better at growing that we have became. It is a chance to relive the past with my daughter.
Our main competition seeds next season will be the 2023 x 1985 and 2009 x self.

11/2/2014 5:08:42 PM

Guelph, ONT

I say go for it!! When I started, I grew store bought AG seeds too and got them over 200lbs and I didn`t have a clue what I was doing..
Again I say grow it!! And cross it with one of your competition seeds With proper growing techniqes you should have No problem getting over 500, 600lbs...
In this hobby its not always about the Biggest..it`s the unknown and the what if`s that keeps us going.
My mother grew a big pumpkin back in 1969 big for the time. And if I had a seed from that pumpkin I`d grow it in a minute and treat it like it was a prize winning seed.
Remember their only pumpkins but have fun with it.
Memories are priceless so relive the past with your daughter!

11/2/2014 6:59:22 PM

East Jordan, MI

Grow it and have fun....You might be surprised...even though the selective breeding hasn't pushed the largest genes ahead in it, it is still an AG, but probably open pollinated, which is where the variability lies...

11/2/2014 8:16:47 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Absolutely, I am not saying dont grow it if you want to. I think it would be cool for sentimental reasons. I just think as with most store bought seeds there will be a much quicker curb to growth no matter how much you evolved as a grower. Regardless you could go for quantity on the plant if the quality is shy.

11/2/2014 8:42:21 PM

Muddy Waters

one of my first melons was a package seed It grew to 136 lbs this was back in like 1995.That was a nice melon at the time.My soil was not good & I watered 3 times a week.Go for it. Have fun!

11/3/2014 7:03:27 AM

Rhode Island

matt m said it best.ill just add that there are to many great seeds with good genetic history out there. if your goal is to grow a big pumpkin - get one of them.enjoy bigger results.
pap

11/3/2014 8:05:48 AM

Bethlehem CT

It would certainly be fun to grow the seed to see how much you have improved. Often times the store bought seed produces nicely colored pumpkins. But trust me, the store bought seeds are not the same thing. I grew store bought AG's for years, they all topped out around two hundred pounds.
If you had a 1068 Wallace or a 723 Bobier from back in the day, I think that would be a must plant seed. Those seeds were bred by growers, much thought and care went into the pollenization of those seeds. The commercial seed producers....not so much.

11/5/2014 7:08:22 AM

Madisonville, TN

Thanks for all of the responses. A better way of phrasing the question might have been: What if someone by the name of Wallace, Mathison, or Meier grew the store bought seed? How would it turn out?
We will probably still grow the seed just for sentimental reasons.

11/5/2014 8:53:01 AM

Salem, Oregon

I grew my first ever competition pumpkin from the Dill's Atlantic Giant found at Lowes in 2011. Grown on the main vine at about 11ft, grew a 379.5 pounder and took home the Howard Dill award

11/10/2014 3:57:26 PM