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Tasmania Australia

Hi, I am brand new to growing these Bushel Gourds and was trying to find out some germinating techniques to these.
With pumpkin seeds i have been filing the edges and soaking them for an hour to get a faster germination and seams to be working for me.
What has most found to be the best way to get these Bushel Gourd seeds to germinate?
I have read a few things, with some saying to snip of those two mickey mouse ears on them and some say you can actually remove the outer shell on these seeds.
Do you also sand these seeds on the sides like you do with pumpkin seeds?
Also do you soak these seeds for an hour?
And what temperature works best for germination with these seeds?
Sorry for all the questions, just looking for some good advice on how to get a good germination from them.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers.
Peter.

1/17/2018 12:37:47 AM

Hanson Ma

I'm new to these as of last year too. I was told to clip the ears and soak for an hour and then planted them in small pots and germinated right next to the pumpkins. it worked fine.

1/17/2018 6:02:45 AM

sevierville, Tn

i also sand the edges in addition to cliping the ears as the shell is so tough. Alot easier for both the plant and me to shed the shell.

1/17/2018 6:35:32 AM

Georgetown, Ontario

I also find they germinate best with a soil temp around 90f and not too wet, just barely damp.

1/17/2018 7:54:25 AM

Webster Groves, MO

Regarding bushel gourd germination, I'm fairly low tech. . I like to soak the seeds for 3-4 hours in a warm solution of 9 parts water to 1 part hydrogen peroxide (3%). I use a heat mat to germinate the seeds. Gourd seeds germinate best with a temperature around 85-93°F. Germination is typically 3-5 days. However, it may take up to 10-13 days.

I use a utility knife to shave the seed while avoiding going through the seed coat. Likewise, I avoid shaving around the root tip. I know most growers
will use sandpaper.Then, I do the warm solution soak with hydrogen peroxide + water. After soaking, I place
them in a moist, but not dripping tissue paper. Then they are placed in a zip-loc bag that is not entirely sealed (3/4 sealed). The next step,I use a portable food/beer cooler. Inside I place my heat mat. This is the type that raises the heat about 15 degrees above room temp.
Its dimensions are 9" x 20". The brand is Hydro Farm. Next I place 1-2 folded cloth towels over the heat mat. This creates a barrier between the seeds
and the heat mat. If temps get too high, I add more towels so as to cool the temp around the seeds. Seeds in the zip-loc bags lay on top of the of the
towels in the cooler. The lid of the cooler is Not closed. I use a heat gun to monitor the temp of the seeds at least twice daily (Morning + Evening).
Moisture of the paper towels are likewise checked twice daily. The record for the quickest germination has been 2 days. Usually, 3-5 days is normal.
Assuming the seed is viable, this method produces a 90 % germination rate. 85-93 degrees works well, but they have been known to tolerate up
to 95. Gets too easy to cook them above 95. It is good to know the temp. of the room you are growing and hopefully it stays steady.

One additional note on shaving the seeds. I shave all surfaces. The edges and the flat portion and top. Only the root tip is left alone. I want to make
sure the seedling can easily emerge through the seed coat.

1/17/2018 6:09:35 PM

Tasmania Australia

Thanks for the replies, appreciated.
Is it easy to tell when you have sanded the sides enough?
I know with the pumpkin seeds, when filing / sanding the sides, you see the white part start to show, knowing this is as far as you want to go.
Is it pretty much the same with these seeds?
Keen to give some a go and see what happens.

1/17/2018 11:33:02 PM

Sharon, MA

I tried them for the first time last year. I started 8 and sanded the edges(just barely sanded the crust of the shell off similar to pumpkin seeds) avoiding the tip like Doug explained. The wrapped them in a warm damp paper towel (used water and seaweed solution). Placed the wrapped seeds in a ziplock bag in my 90F greenhouse overnight. Did not wait for tap root to show. I just planted them all (2 per 1 gallon pot) in the Greenhouse. All came up then culled half of them a few days later so that only one plant per pot remained. Really a fun fruit to grow.

1/24/2018 7:59:58 PM

Sharon, MA

Early in the growing season These BG plants really grow fast in a warmer climates especially when soil temps are around 80F. f its too cold, like in the 60F or even low &0F range the grow a bit slow. Assuming you got some nice warm climate Down Under.

1/24/2018 8:06:00 PM

Tasmania Australia

Cheers, did you also clip those mickey mouse ears off yours?
I use a small chicken egg incubator, seams to also work pretty well and can adjust the temperature to pretty much what ever suits.

1/24/2018 10:26:29 PM

Sharon, MA

I didn't clip the ears but I'm still learning how to grow these meanie greenie BG's. The incubator sounds great that's kind of what I use.
If you want to email me at pumpconn@msn.com I could email you a nice article that Doug wrote
about how he grew his WR 279.
Steve

1/25/2018 8:03:13 AM

Webster Groves, MO

Bluesilver, I see no function to the 'Mouse Ears'. After shaving off the ears you do not typically come close to puncturing the seed coat. It is vital to shave the top and the sides as the seed coat is very strong and thick on bushel gourds. You would hate to see a seedling get damaged due to it's inability to break through the seed coat. Don't expect a color change when getting close to shaving through the seed coat. The outer skin is usually pretty easy to shave initially with it getting harder when you are getting close. Best of luck with growing these fun plants.

1/25/2018 9:43:38 PM

Tasmania Australia

Cheers, some very good advice here.
Might be a big ask, but is there a chance anyone here has some photos or the seed already prepared.
Maybe a photo of how it looks before and after, just a thought, I know it is a big ask, but would be very helpful indeed.

1/26/2018 9:20:36 PM