From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Topsfield, Ma.

8 days and counting for germination to occur...what's anybody else seeing for germ times? Not nervous as I know it can take up to 2 weeks, especially for older seeds. Thanks
Duff

5/20/2013 7:08:48 PM

ShagHarbour n,s canada

got to be at 80 degrees or you well wait for ever,, thats one tip,,

5/20/2013 7:41:46 PM

Mercersburg, PA

not having luck with them. will try again.

5/21/2013 8:00:10 AM

Mercersburg, PA

trying other seeds in the meantime.

5/21/2013 8:00:22 AM

Topsfield, Ma.

Good tip Cueball! Heat mat temps 80-85* with saranwrap covering to keep things balmy and from drying out. Bigbear don't give up hope too soon...2 weeks plus for germ is not abnormal, especially w/o bottom heat! Good luck!

5/21/2013 7:57:18 PM

ShagHarbour n,s canada

i had horrible luck this year had some of the best seeds in the world couldnt get them to sprout,,i give up on the paper towel method this season from now on i soke 24 hours in water, plant in soil over a heat mat 80 degrees and wait it out,,,

5/21/2013 8:24:28 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

I never use the paper towel method for LG seeds. My two 108 Eatons popped in four days at 90 degrees in peat pots. I used the heat mat in a coleman cooler method, easy peasy. The soil was very moist and the lid opened a crack with a thermometer inside. Seeds were soaked for 24 hrs beforehand. LG seeds like a very warm/moist enviroment with bottom heat.

5/21/2013 9:21:34 PM

Sourthern Utah

duff ,, i use heat mat,, but i also soak all lg seeds at least 12 hrs ,, some filed on edges some not ,, all germed in side 2 weeks,, a few was from 08,, nada older, but i use a piece of plexi-glas on top,, to assist with humidity,, easier to control,, .. just me

5/21/2013 11:23:47 PM

Muddy Waters

Yes I think Andy has it figured out.My 108s didnt germ.This soil starter being just moist NOT wet is NOT the way to go for long gourds or maters.Note to self Long gourds need to be wet to germinate as well as maters.There much harder shell needs more water the maters being so small need lots of water to get started(there to small to hold any water) in storage.Lesson learned.Now how do you remember this 12 months from now?Somebody send me a reminder next year please.LOL

5/22/2013 7:14:40 AM

Georgetown, Ontario

I always had bad luck germinating LG's. I always went with 85F and fairly wet soil and they usually rotted. This year, on the advice of a friend, I went with a barely moist soil (not wet) and higher temp (95 to 100F) and had great germination in 5 or 6 days. No soaking or filing.

5/22/2013 11:13:52 AM

Jericho Vermont

Just like pumpkins some long gourd seeds are just harder to germinate than others in my experience. For the past 5 years I have sanded the sides of the long gourd and soaked them over night for 8-10 hours in a mixture of half water and half hydrogen peroxide. I also use that combination for pumpkins. My theory is two fold. One, the hydrogen peroxide as it bubbles helps to soften and penetrate the seed shell better than just water. And number 2 is for disease prevention. I believe that disease can transfer from seed shell to soil and can be transplanted along with seedling. The hydrogen peroxide helps to sterilize the seed coat to help prevent that.

5/22/2013 3:31:40 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

All good info folks! Pre-soak and filing definitely for LG seeds, just like AG seeds. Filed very vigorously this year and had to fight with only one seed shell that dint wanna come off, and still managed to break one cot leaf! Un fortunately on Your 129 John...good luck all!

5/22/2013 6:18:59 PM

Colorado

filed a bunch,8 hour soak,squeezed out potting soil -was 8 for 8 this year-having said that -some lg seeds wont sprout

5/22/2013 8:22:58 PM

Colorado

My incubator is 85 degrees

5/22/2013 8:23:40 PM

Sparta, NC

I germinate all seeds at 90-92° and soak lg's for 3-4 hours not sanding or filing. Have had pretty good success.

5/22/2013 8:57:46 PM

Southeast

One for three about 8 days

6/19/2013 1:03:36 PM