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Farmington, Utah

I tested seeds I grew in 99,00 and 01. I got 100% germination on the 99 and 00 seeds. On the 2 groups of 01 seeds, which there were 3 of each, only 1 of 3 in each germinated.....is this because they are to recent and just need more time to dry or just more time before trying to germinate them.
Kenny

12/6/2001 11:31:15 AM

Western Pa.

K&P,

As far as the seeds needing more time to dry, I have seen seeds sprout inside the pumpkin, that really had no time to dry. Could the fact that they didn't "overwinter" cause poor germination? I was told a long time ago that putting seeds in the freezer before planting would produce a more "vigorous" germination.You may want to try this with a couple of seeds. Or you just may have a poor germination seed or seeds, caused by genetics or other factors.
kilr

12/6/2001 2:12:27 PM

Western Pa.

After checking the message board, it seems you've heard about the "freezing" thing. Which made me think of another factor. I dry my seeds on wax paper on a cookie sheet, on the frig. One year, after a week or 2 of drying, I moved one sheet on top of the other, and some of the seeds on the bottom germinated, because of trapped moisture.I threw out those that had grown visible roots, but what about those that had just started to germ,with no visible sign?I think that the way seeds are handled during the drying stage, could also affect germination. Just my 2 cents.

kilr

12/6/2001 2:25:17 PM

Greencastle, PA

Kenny,
I also dry my seeds on wax paper ontop of cookie sheets on top of the refrigerator. I lay them flat though so they are exposed to the air. The wax paper keeps them from sticking to the cookie sheets and the location keeps them warm and out of harm's way. I just leave them up there for about 3 weeks and when I get them down they're nice and dry. Good luck,
Tom

12/6/2001 6:54:49 PM

North Ga

I'm having the same results as you Kenny. '99 and '00 seeds germinated just fine, but the 01's I tried to start have done nothing. I'm going let them go until late winter and try again. I also put a couple in the freezer as kilr suggested and will try those in a couple of days.

12/23/2001 9:22:33 AM

Massachusetts

I dry my seeds on a screen from an old window, then put them out in a sun porch. Six of six germinated after 2 weeks of drying time, Steve

12/23/2001 9:39:10 AM

Rush, NY

Three days ago while assembling some seeds for mailing I set aside a seed from 3 different 2001 fruit. One was split wide open on an edge, one had a huge crack on a flat side and the other was a badly deformed seed on the sprout end. I decided to try Joe Ailts "Improved seed starting method". When I checked them after 30 hours, all had Sprouted. I dry my seeds in shallow cardboard boxes placed in front of hot air heating ducts. Then I keep them in paper lunch bags at room temp.

12/25/2001 5:32:21 AM