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Date Posted

Reed Point Montana

i was just wondering if i should start them indoors like pumpkins or just seed straight into the ground?

3/13/2008 2:32:20 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I have done both with about equal success. Last year I actually had better luck with the ones I put directly in the ground. They don't need as early of a start as pumpkins. They seem to get all of their growth in about 3 weeks.

3/13/2008 9:35:46 AM

Ohio

Similar to pumpkins seeds.
File sides.
I use one cup of water mixed with one cap full of hydrogen peroxide.
Soak for 8 hrs. (gourd seeds are a lot harder)
Plant in small peat pot 1/4 inch deep.
80 to 85 degrees in a seed starter.
Up in 4 days or so.
In the ground with in a week or so.

3/13/2008 3:49:15 PM

Picton,ON (j.vincent@xplornet.ca)

Long Gourds can be very hard to start. Sometimes they can take a week to 10 days to sprout. It helps if you freeze the seeds in advance. leave in the freezer at least two weeks before you want to start them. Some folks will crack the seed coat between their teeth before starting. I freeze, crack, soak and paper towel method at about 90F. last year I started later. I found this a mistake. This year I will start around the same time as pumpkins. Start quite a few more than you plan to grow

3/15/2008 9:29:05 PM

Klickitat Washington

why do you also use hydrogen peroxide with the water? or is this just a neither method used to start seeds. Thanks Duane

3/15/2008 10:17:28 PM

Atlanta, Georgia

The hydrogen peroxide will help prevent rot. I used to do it that way and am trying it again. I had 24 out of 24 seeds sprout by soaking them first and keeping germination temperature about 86 degrees and not making the seed starting mixture too moist.
Best regards and practice whatever your germination method is to perfect it before using it on the important seeds.
Best regards,
Michel

3/16/2008 1:37:31 PM

Ohio

I also kills much of the harmfull bacteria as well.

3/16/2008 9:07:36 PM