From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Quebec

do you need to start melon seeds sooner than pumkin seeds?also do they need to be filed and soaked in paper towel

4/17/2010 9:09:18 AM

Petrolia,Ontario. Canada

i just soak my watermelon seeds over night and plant them directly in pots and put them into the germ chamber i have set at 85 degrees

good luck Lonnie

4/17/2010 11:24:20 AM

Bowdon, GA

I seem to have better luck with 90+ degrees for melons.

4/18/2010 12:17:23 AM

formerly RGG

Even as hot as 97 or 98 degrees works good for a lot of us.

4/18/2010 8:47:53 PM

Rochester, MN

Agree! 95 degrees is good! I don't file them like pumpkin seeds...but agree that warmer by 10 degrees over AGs..will really help germination rates for Carolina Cross Watermelons.

4/18/2010 10:18:03 PM

formerly RGG

It takes as long as 90 days for a Carolina Cross melon to fully mature so most growers up north start early indoors and under grow lights.

4/19/2010 7:40:20 AM

sevierville, Tn

I agree, 95-99 = some are out of the ground in 3 days from the time i first soaked them. WOW ! Now some are slower too , but running 90%+ germination on all except 1 older seed line.

4/19/2010 1:58:21 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

I have to be honest. I have poor germination rates on how I start my melons. There. I feel better now that I have that out in the open. "Hello. My name is ... and I have poor germination rates". I will use the advice from this year to do better next year. 95 degrees, and not 85 degrees. Soak over night.

I did find that all the seeds I received from Kent just burst open, so there is something about his line that makes the seeds really want to germinate.

But I do have plants out in my solarium with multiple leaves each and are looking pretty good. The question is when to put them in the garden.

4/19/2010 3:23:38 PM

sevierville, Tn

MMM, thats because the seeds want to grow a world record ! LOL

I use to soak overnight, but after what Lloyd Bright said about too wet, i only soaked for 1 hour this year.
Chris

4/19/2010 4:19:15 PM

Lexington,IN

I also am a member of Poor Germinators Anonymous. I bought me an incubator this year and results have improved. I must also need to increase my temperature as those first started on 4/12 were about 50% germ rate. Those up were the 255 Mitchell(2 for 3), 267 Edwards(2 for 2) and 217 Pleasant(2 for 3). None of these germed: 168 Johnson, 182 Blanton and 239 Leonard. I started 6 more on 4/17 two each of 182 Blanton, 267 Pleasant and 119 Leonard. I increased the temp on these to 95, hopefully that works...

4/19/2010 8:55:10 PM

sevierville, Tn

Dewight, Just keep em hot, they will pop. Had 1 older seed finally pop today after 4 days. So make sure they have enough time.

I wonder what the limit is on the temps. Like maybe next winter we need to do a test. Would they do even better at 100-105 ???

4/20/2010 2:42:53 PM

formerly RGG

I think 100 degrees is at or past the limit. I know I had my incubator too hot trying to start some seed in mid March. The result was none of these seed germinated. I'm pretty sure 105 is beyond what they can tolerate.

4/20/2010 9:28:18 PM

Bowdon, GA

I have found that most of my problems come from seeds rotting. Last week I started 6 of my 194's for some neighbors. I kept it as close to 95 as possible and barely misted the surface with water. Just enough to kept the top from hardening. Covered with plastic wrap to hold water in. was 5 for 6. Ussually I have noticed if I have a bad batch its because the dirt is to wet.

4/20/2010 10:16:59 PM

Netherlands

100% germination here the past two years. In soil, no soaking, and then in a coolbox with two hot water bottles (keeps the cooler between about 80-90 degrees) refreshed every 8 hours.

4/21/2010 5:13:21 AM

Nekoosa, Wisconsin

This is a great post. I was starting my melon seeds the same as pumpkin at 85 degrees. I increased it to 94 and have had much better success. Thanks for the info guys.

4/21/2010 10:17:42 AM

southwest MO

Just remember at 95 degrees there is very little forgiveness if you are too wet.

4/21/2010 1:44:13 PM

sevierville, Tn

meaning, they rot faster ?????

4/21/2010 2:31:31 PM

southwest MO

Yes they will rot faster

4/21/2010 3:27:17 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Toes crossed, I start melons Thurs. No I haven't picked yet, and whatever goes in, hope it grows. I'll settle for getting a plant to July this year.... this post is great for learning what I might have been doing wrong at the start.

4/21/2010 9:53:44 PM

Frankfort Oh

knock on wood I`ve done really good at 90degrees ,and have very good germination rates ,matter of fact I usually get donated by the club to start everybody in the areas,lol,Goog luck to all,from this guy in ohio!!!!!!!!!

4/22/2010 10:13:42 PM