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Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Unlike Ag's, long gourds are unpredictable when it comes to germination. For example, 6 out of 6 95 Seca seeds germinated for me and 5 are very healthy, robust plants. 10 year old seeds! 0-16 of my 85.5 and 0-20+ 101.25 Corkum seeds popped. Last year 6 for 6 122 Eaton seeds came up and 0-4 123 Eaton's. More than ever I'm convinced that germination of long gourd seeds carries a genetic trait that "may" continue to the next generation. I say may because the 88.5 Eaton was a good germer, 122 Eaton ( 88.5 x sibb ) very easy and 107.5 Attaway very easy as well ( 88.5 Eaton x self). My 85.5 was 122 Eaton x self and nothing. Back-ups, back-ups, back-ups is all I can say.

5/14/2010 9:58:06 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

I swear it's the phases of the moons lining up just so on Saturn when it's in ascending mode.

I have a 97 Lovelace that is working way out of ground and seedcase tonight; and the first one, 125.25 Jutras is up and unfurled cots. I think there is life in at least 3 of the 5 remaining, time will tell. I am still way ahead of last year, 0:17

5/14/2010 10:31:50 PM

Pleasant Hill, Or

I tried something different this year. I filed, soaked for 24 hrs then used the paper towel method. I had 4/4 germination. Can't say for sure if the longer soak made the difference, but I had 2/14 germination last year using a 4 hour soak.

These things have a very hard seed coat, so it makes sense that we should be soaking longer than an AG.

Anyone else use a long soak and see improved germination?

5/15/2010 11:06:41 AM

Topsfield, Ma.

24 hour soaks for me the last two seasons have shown improved germ rates for sure! Really aggressive seed filing this season has meant no decapitations so far trying to help seed coat come off! Andy, you're right-on about unpredictability of germing LG seeds. 3 of 4 of my own LG's showing reasonable germ rates and none from 1...go figure?

5/15/2010 7:02:09 PM

Sparta, NC

I soaked mine for 5 hours then into pots covered with saran wrap, then into germ chamber at 90°. I started 2 each of the 134.25Johnson/Butler, 129.38 Dwelly, 125 Urena, 111.88 Lovelace, 109 Eaton and 106 Jutras. Seeds were started 6 days ago and as of today I have 2- 125 Ureanas, 2 - 111.88 Lovelace, a 109 Eaton and a 106 Jutras up. I will wait a few more days on the rest.

5/15/2010 9:04:02 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Well here's the thing, for the seeds that wanted to germ, the success rate was very good. For mine and the 101.25 Corkum seeds, zero. All treated the same, soaked for at least 12 hours except the 95 Seca which were double soaked- 12 in peroxide and 12 in new water with a tiny bit of kelp. No biggie , I still have many good plants hardening off. I couldn't resist and started two 122 Eaton seeds tonight, another nice pairing with the 95 Seca. And BTW Sam, that's a nice line-up.

5/15/2010 9:24:24 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Well 97 Lovelace is spitting seedcase and turning green; 125.25 Jutras is up nice and opened cots, and... a pear gourd I started had got out of case, started to open cots, and rotted at the soil line. Weird.

Still happy, I have enough to grow some LG's this year! And yes I filed and nipped the ears and made several hours of LG seed soup... about 8 hours soak then went into blotter for a few days, a day later I potted the other seeds that hadn't popped yet but showed signs they were...

5/15/2010 11:17:31 PM

Northern Cambria, Pa.

It took at least 15 days for my 134.25 Johnson to sprout in a dish. Others only took 5 days.

5/17/2010 9:54:49 AM

Colorado

I'm the king of poor germination with long gourd seeds.I tried filing the non root end of the seed to get better moisture absorbtion.I filed until I just got into the seed cavity and boom-I had success on every seed stock I tried.Also I filed into the seed germ(there was no space) of a bushel gourd seed and it sprouted the fasted of any of them.That plant has notches on the seed leaves where i over did it.

5/17/2010 6:26:35 PM

Sparta, NC

The 134.25 Johnson/Butler germed in 7 1/2 days for me. All others from 4-6 days.

5/17/2010 7:08:17 PM

Hamilton Nj

i soaked my 88 knox seeds for 12 hours and filed them lightly they popped up yesterday guess its beginners luck lol pizza

5/21/2010 5:43:39 PM

Hamilton Nj

sorry planted them on the 13 of may pizza

5/21/2010 5:44:45 PM