View the Pumpkin page

10 Jun 13 Sylvia Allan (Australia - arid climate)

No I haven't been able to get any more Windsor Black seeds I only had a couple of seeds that were given to me, I planted them on the side of a very small hill in Heavy soil they grew and branched every where were getting male flowers And the female flowers were forming, but 10 days of solid rain the patch was absolutely saturated the rest of our property was flooded I thought they would be alright but thr female buds went yellow & dropped off. I prayed & begged for the vines not to die but 90% did.I was shattered. one vine in the row above it The McLeay Mongrel survived Another Victorian Pumpkin, was so sick I just forgot it, went down the Hill the other day the grass was 2 & 1/2 feet high and I trod on something in the grass and nearly fell over looked and found one McLeay Mongrel Pumpkin I have collected the seed from what has to be the weirdest Pumpkin ever, But probably the nicest eating Pumpkin ever, I would say it is probably the rarest as well. The McLeay Mongrel Is a very dry pumpkin with superb flavor much like Iron Bark sweeter & nuttier, I have looked at it it is more than likely a Triamble Iron Bark cross Maybe some Qld. Blue. I am offering 4 seeds up for Auction on eBay I do not have many seeds, so thought if I put a good reserve in them only the very serious growers would buy them. Be Warned it is not a pretty pumpkin but needs some serious pumpkin growers to keep it from extinction, it is a heavy solid pumpkin, looks like an Alien lava Rock. visit eBay Pumpkins just to see it. Regards. Sylvia.

Reply

13 Jun 13 hz (Australia - temperate climate)

WOW Sylvia I am impressed! I have given up on pumpkin, only having a suburban back yard, lack of space, but I can drive to the country in autumn and early winter and get farmers produce - and we eat a lot, all year round ! It's a fabulous vegetable. I really, really hope your varieties can find some seed-saver people to grow them on for you Sylvia - keep us posted. Perhaps you could contact Diggers Seeds , or New Gippsland Seed Farm, (google them) and see if they are interested in helping you continue these varieties. Good luck.

Reply