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Post by Alan on Sept 2, 2008 21:37:25 GMT -5
Grew some seeds Ken Ettlinger sent me of the F2 generation of the Ultra II butternut hybrid this year and found the ideal specimen today. That is the only specimen that I will be saving seeds for. This thing is absolutely huge. Not a real long neck but the width and overal height of the squash speaks for itself. The base where the seeds are almost resembles a "cheese" type pumkin while the neck diameter is absolutely ridiculous and very impressive. I have not yet weighed it but would guess the weight to be about 30 lbs or so.
I'll be growing 14 hills of these seed next season and selfing whatever comes closest to these or exceedes it in some way.
Working name of the project is:
Hip-Gnosis SDP 018
If I have plenty of mature seeds after curing and storage (giving the seeds time to "fatten" up) I will offer a small (very small) sample to interested co-operators who agree to isolate and further develop the strain.
-Alan
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Post by grungy on Sept 2, 2008 21:47:40 GMT -5
Alan,
Please put Dan and I (grunt and grungy) on the list if there are any seeds left over. Thanks.
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Post by canadamike on Sept 2, 2008 22:08:31 GMT -5
I sure woul like to be in on that one, as I intend to go big on moschatas next year.
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Post by flowerpower on Sept 3, 2008 6:29:25 GMT -5
30 lb Butternut? Wow!  |
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Post by Alan on Sept 3, 2008 20:02:58 GMT -5
It really is pretty impressive if I do say so myself. I've never seen anything like it! I knew the genetics would be there for a large butternut but I was thinking more along the lines of a neck pumpkin with a long strait neck, not a huge stuby thing. I'm letting it cure right now but I am really anxious to see what the seed cavity looks like. I am really hoping that it is small making more of the squash useable.
I'll mark all of you down for seed and get it sent out as soon as it is processed.
-Alan
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Post by flowerpower on Sept 3, 2008 21:01:32 GMT -5
I won't take seed for this yr. I have so many other things to grow out, I just wouldn't have room to segregate them. But if you could put some aside for johno, that would be great. I know he was looking for moschatas earlier this yr. The thing I love about Butternut is that the seed cavity is comfined to the bottom and the neck is always all usable.
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Post by bluelacedredhead on Sept 27, 2008 22:44:12 GMT -5
Here's my Amish Long Neck in progress. Not from Alan's stock, I'm afraid though. This came from a friend in Missouri. The scar on the bulb is where I accidentally scratched it when I opened the gate to the dog kennel. The vine is growing up the wall of the garage and over the dog houses, but where's the only fruit? On the gate, grrrrrrr Still, I cover it every night to protect it from the cool weather and it's still growing and starting to turn colour around the handle (of the pumpkin, not the gate handle ;D).  |
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Post by johno on Sept 28, 2008 22:24:01 GMT -5
Thanks for looking out for me, flowerpower. I would like a small amount of these seeds if there are enough. Sounds like something I had intended to create.
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Post by mybighair on Sept 29, 2008 7:29:02 GMT -5
I would like to try that one here in the UK if you have sufficient seed available. No problem with isolation as no one else grows butternut's on their plots. The only risk would be lack of fruit set tin our relatively short season.
Whats the background on this project? I would be interested to know how this strain was developed.
Thanks,
Graham.
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