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southwest MO

I started watermelon seeds a couple weeks back... When I opened the pack of 170 Deshong seeds they appeared to be coated with a brownish red material... The only seeds I have ever seen like this. I planted all 4 because watermelons seem to be less reliable germinators than pumpkins for me. All 4 came up and Every one is by far a supierior seedling to the other dozen or so seeds from 4 different sources. Anybody ever seen this or know what this coating could be??

5/2/2008 9:46:49 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Boy g...I would guess a fungicide coating...I have received several diff seeds, of diff varities in the past few years, that have the redish coating...I think it is a protective coating to prevent fungus or mold from getting to the seeds!!! Hopefully Mr. Deshong will tell us the whole story!!! Peace, Wayne

5/2/2008 6:38:40 PM

Rochester, MN

It is possible that they were coated...but some of the giant watermelon seeds have a brown/red color to them and are not white.

5/10/2008 8:32:53 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

Sometimes that brown/red coating can be because the seeds were not clean very well, and they still have some watermelon crud on them. I have seen that.

P.S. Greetings Neighbor Dave!

5/12/2008 11:06:31 AM

Rochester, MN

Hi James!
Those brown/red color seeds came from Marvin Mitchell (grew the 255 and 231 and 223 last year)...He mentions that at the stem of the giant watermelons is the 168 Johnson '98 (red seeds) and the 157 Bright (white seeds)..his 255 came from a 168 Johnson(F) x 157 Bright....so he is not sure if it will produce red or white seeds. I'm just hoping for a 270 lber and if the seeds are pink...I'm happy LOL.

5/13/2008 11:44:52 PM