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N. Hertfordshire, UK

THIS may seem like an obvious question to many of you seasoned growers, so please bear with me. I am undecided on which of my seeds will maybe do the best in my patch this year. I am hoping to have 3 planting sites ready so will start quite of a few of the seeds that I have available and then the strongest seedlings will make it into the ground. I have some of last year's 1027 Bridges the 2016 UK HD winner which I shall probably parallel plant into one spot, but that still leaves me 2 other planting sites for 4 other random plants. So do I pair seedlings 1&2 and 3&4 or seedlings 1&3 and 2&4, regardless of their genetics?

4/14/2017 2:15:13 PM

Midway, UT

I usually put the same plants in the same hoop house. Some genetics tend to be more vigorous than others, but that doesn't mean a more vigorous plant will grow the biggest pumpkin. By putting two plants from the same seed in together I think you can better compare the plants. Also, I wouldn't just compare the plants on their growth rate. Color and other factors I think are worth considering as well.

4/14/2017 6:12:54 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

It is all a guessing game.

4/15/2017 8:59:39 AM

Syracuse, NY

i would say to plant two of the one seed you REALLY want to grow in one area (maybe growing toward one another, from opposite patch-ends, or side-by-side about 4 feet apart) and eliminate the smallest one in a couple of WEEKS once it becomes OBVIOUS that one is growing faster, bigger, etc., and in the other spots, do the same or simply plant one of each of 2 of your fave seeds in each spot, but keep another one of each as a backup of each in case something happens or any of them fail (critters, damage, etc.); i've never had to do any of this, i'm brainstorming, so i'm gonna call the first method the 'joust' method, and the second 'the drag'---each certainly determines the winner! good luck---eg

4/17/2017 2:42:01 PM