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Rudolph

Maybe this is a post for winter but I'm going to start an agreement haha.. So to put it bluntly I honestly don't think people should give seeds away for free, in my opinion it should become standard for growers to charge for there seeds if people genuinely wanna grow them and not hoard them they will pay, I no when I first started growing I would have gladly payed for seeds, the amount of time growers put into there pumpkins and even afterwords package seeds and sending them out too people that expect free seeds because that has been the standard for so long, and if someone trys to sell seeds they are shamed really? Honesty speaking if you grew a world record would you give seeds away for free? All the money and time you put into that fruit and you're expected to package, all the seeds and send them out to random bubbles that make there way to you, and if someone doesn't get there free seeds you're the bad guy? You're provided a service when you sends seeds out and should be compensated,the growers on here are to generous in my opinion. Feel free to fire nasty comments back at me and share your honest opinion on this matter...

7/28/2015 11:59:54 PM

Edmonton, 53.5N, 113.6W

Well - I'd say it's all about supply and demand. Last year there were 14 pumpkins over 1900 pounds. Each of them probably had 200+ seeds - that's 2800 premium seeds - never mind those that aren't after just size but shape and color. I'm not a big time grower and would personally be thrilled if anyone wanted to grow something off one of my seeds... I do and will continue to give my seeds away to anyone that wants them - unfortunately thats not too may folks.

7/29/2015 12:46:16 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Hi Josiah I will provide my perspective on this to lead off. As of now, July 28 2015 there is no selling of seeds among growers. Out side of club auctions. It is ok to expect that a given seed is worthy of a price but- currently- the expectations. Are that the proceeds go to a club and a weigh off. And that the money is to the benefit of the hobby in general. Any deviation of this is a breach of our our unspoken code of conduct. PERIOD

7/29/2015 12:54:37 AM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

For he who plan no seed to share, lose all his hair, or a nasty dare. Plan to get a resounding boot, and carve himself a seedless fruit.

7/29/2015 1:22:08 AM

Minnesota

I think this is cool about this hobby, sport! growers know they can get the seed for free, yet they pay at auctions to support the clubs. They still can sell the seeds and there are people willing to pay.

7/29/2015 1:38:16 AM

Germany

As I read your description of the "problem" I find that you might have missed something important, which is:

- People who ask for seeds should/will first of all ask for the opportunity of sending a bubble (because they ask for the address and availability of seeds).
- Many people who ask for seeds also ask for how much you would like to have for the seeds or what favor they could do in return (sending some of their own seeds...of AGs or other interesting plants).
- The final decision of the grower, whether to send seeds to someone who asked for seeds, will certainly depend on how the other grower approached him/her...either in a polite and humble manner or in a way which simply tells "You are the one who´s got the seeds, you are the one who MUST give me seeds for free!"...each grower could run out of seeds very soon, highly unexpectedly soon ;-)

From the perspective of the grower (of the seriously honest grower) who´s asking for a seed, it´s a risk to promise to grow a seed. Paying 10 $ for a seed, having a poor seedling and sending it to the compost pile is easy. Having promised to grow the seed (received for free), having a poor seedling but still spending some time on that plant (because of the promise made) and finally getting a decent fruit out of it is something that would only work with the promise made to the grower who gave the seed away for free. So what´s better for the grower who´s giving away seeds and who wants to see them produce some nice pumpkins?

Question to you: How much would you charge for seeds?

7/29/2015 5:55:06 AM

SW Ohio

While I did not grow a world record, I got my fair share of bubbles last year. I filled every one I received. Yes, there were times i got sick of making up seed packets but I still consider it an honor that people would go to the trouble and expense to request my seeds. Whether they grow them or not makes no difference. Once the seed packet leaves me it becomes your seed packet to do with as you wish.
I dont work hard all season for the seeds. I work hard for the biggest fruit. The seeds are an added bonus. If someone wishes to sell their seeds instead of giving them away, that is their choice. They can do what they wish with their seeds. And i can do what I want with mine.

7/29/2015 6:32:44 AM

Rudolph

Now this is just the way I felt when I first started growing,,,I heard of sending bubbles and I thought what the heck does that mean? I looked into it and was like okay, I can do that but man I wish I could just pay some money for the seed I want and expect it in the mail....what I think should be done is for ken accept seeds from bigger, prettier fruit of the year, well respected growers! and put there seeds up for sale on this site.. Say 10-20 dollars a seed & a portion of the money would go to the grower and a portion would go to the site "ken" I guaranty if that is done you'll probably get new growers, growers that are shy and don't wanna hassle with this bubble deal they just heard of..and the site would profit,,, it should be that if someone wants a wallace seed (any heavy hitter) It should be thought I gotta pay for that seed through bp.com not I'm going to creep around and get his e-mail and ask with the hundreds of other people... Just my thought lol.. Also you would see people putting more effort into there pumpkins in hopes of getting there seeds on bp.com to be sold.

7/29/2015 8:19:00 AM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

To me, it is an honor to get asked for seeds. On the flip side: I will spend more time on a seed someone graciously gave me, and I promised to grow, than one I bought. It's a 'code of honor'? Maybe not quite the right term, but its close to what I think. Someone spent time, money, and back breaking labor to grow that seed, then, after all that, they are willing to share the seed with less accomplished growers? Yeah, that grower gets my word, which is my honor, and I will grow that seed.

7/29/2015 8:26:06 AM

Central Minnesota

If you really want to pay for seeds, just go to most of the club websites and you will find seeds for sale. Many of these are great seeds. Usually the ones for sale there was ample supply. So, if you want to pay for one, you can.

You sound like you want to make money off your own seeds. If that is the case, that is up to you. Some will tell you not to do it, but no one will stop you. I do agree with your point about hording or asking for seeds and then not planting them. I only ask for the seeds I plant the following year. If you want to hord seeds please buy them at auction so the clubs benefit.

7/29/2015 9:12:01 AM

Rudolph

I will never sell my seeds, but I'll also never give hundreds away, I would only more than likely give my seeds to people I know, or know by name.

7/29/2015 9:29:31 AM

Wi

I think once you've been at the very top your perspective changes. Rather than thinking about how much time and money you've put into the hobby you consider how much the hobby has given to you. Realizing this I believe the mentality becomes more to pay it forward. And that's not just with seeds.

7/29/2015 9:35:29 AM

Rudolph

That being said if I were to grow a Wr " highly doubtful " the only spot people I dont know could get the seed would be through actions, I would not spend all my money "over exaggerating" on envelops and stickers also the time it must take for some people.

7/29/2015 9:38:22 AM

Rudolph

That may be 100 percent true Chris,, or maybe it's because I'm 23 years old.. Idk

7/29/2015 9:40:25 AM

British Columbia, Canada

Amen to what Chris said.

7/29/2015 11:51:06 AM

Lancaster MN

This year I sent a couple bubbles out to growers after first sending them an email asking about their seeds and if they had an extra seed available if I could get one. I did this with the intention of growing them. When the growers responded and send me their seeds it was extremely nice. Even though I only grew a 1300 and 1400 pound pumpkin last year people still sent emails asking for seeds and it makes a guy feel good to have people asking you for seeds. For how nice everyone has been when I asked, I'm more then willing to give out seeds even as my pumpkins hopefully keep getting bigger each year. That's what makes this hobby so fun is how nice and willing experienced growers are willing to help out.

7/29/2015 12:12:03 PM

Rudolph

Well thanks for all of your responses, you guys truely are great people.. We'll end this post there.

7/29/2015 1:42:36 PM

Colorado

I couldn't disagree more with your opening statement Josiah. Whats great about the hobby has always been a free exchange of seeds and sale of seeds to fund clubs and contests. By the way,I'm enjoying your diary and am aware of all the time and effort youre putting in to the 2015 season-good luck and enjoy being 23 :)

7/29/2015 1:52:20 PM

I really believe that people should not ask for a seed if they don't intend to grow them. It just does not make sense to hoard the seeds plus if the person is spending their money to fill requests it does not show much respect for them.

7/29/2015 2:12:26 PM

Rudolph

Well I'm glad you're reading it cojoe, thanks. Yah im pretty sure everyone disagreed with it lol..

7/29/2015 2:14:32 PM

Bethlehem CT

I will never ask a grower for seeds if I don't intend to grow them. I am honored to grow the seeds that other growers send me. I am also hopeful that I will do their seed justice and grow a big one off it to prove it for them. I have many friends on this site, most of them I have made through sending them a bubble and having them send out seeds to me.
Josiah, if you want to charge for your seeds, you could always sell them yourself, or you could sell them to Howard Dill or P and P. After all they are your seeds to do as you choose.

By the way I love your diary, you are going to grow a whopper this year.

7/29/2015 3:27:12 PM

Central NY

Ditto big moon

7/29/2015 4:54:45 PM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

I buy to support clubs only... I ask when I want to grow a seed.. I know what 300 bubbles feels like.. I also know how it feels to say no... I also will ship out some for free even when across the pond... No issues we all have to support this hobby in ever way we can in order to grow the hobby.. Everyone needs help from time to time.. I know I get my fair share from all over the globe.. I feel it's part of paying your dues... What you put in you get back out.. Yes this is a very expensive hobby in more than $ ,time,effort.. this hobby is not about the money.. It's the bragging rights and chest thumping we do.. Not to Affend anyone. Just my rant.

7/29/2015 6:17:20 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

OK, that's fine Josia...throw in $20 (US dollars please) and I'll send you enough seeds for a few years.

7/30/2015 2:57:09 AM

Omaha, Ne.

you can buy my seeds...then I will give the $$$ to the clubs.

7/30/2015 8:31:01 AM

Holton, Michigan

my personal best was free seed thanks!....... saying

7/30/2015 8:54:45 AM