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Garden State Pumpkins

I tried to see with some seeds from last year to see what I'm capable of doing without ruining my good seeds this year. I tried just filing and soaking...tried to do the advanced seed starting and will know tonight what happens..Seems that I might have soaked them too much on the towel because the raw seed looked like it split in two when I looked at them last nite...24 hr check..will keep trying to improve this technique but not as simple as it sounds.
Chuck

2/26/2002 12:45:07 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Last nite took a look...looks like the seed I filed and soaked had the longest root but all seem to be in advanced stages. Planted them at different depths to see which ones would come up first and healthiest....good thing I gave this a try before I really had to...I reccomend if your a first time to try some of this now.
Chuck

2/27/2002 11:23:13 AM

Webster, NY

I tried this method earlier this year also. It's a fun winter project.

2/27/2002 11:47:47 AM

Cologne / Germany

I´ve done a few more experiments with filed seeds and it´s getting better each time. Now I use cosmetic pads from my wife, open them up in the middle and spray them with warm water (not soaking, it´s too much). The seed is inside the pad and finally closed in a zip lock bag. Between 24 and 48 hours the root appears. At this stage they have to leave the bag and go into their pots (always on the side, then they come up without the coat, it works!). Everytime I´ve waited too long, they came up leggy. The position and distance of the growing light is essential, as described in the how-to section.
Ingo

3/4/2002 10:43:22 AM

Eagan,Minnesota

Say guys....as far as lighting....I like to put the light close, at first.....And slowly raise it over the two weeks....To get a longer plant.
Then when i plant the plant,I plant all the way up to 1 inch from the leaves.....This gives your plant a better start.....The roots come out all over this area....Chris

3/6/2002 5:44:33 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

The seeds that I started I did plant on their side at varying depths. While the are a bit leggy do to the lack of sun and poor lighting they look very strong. the ones I planted deeper had a harder time breaking through and don't look good at all. Probably lost all the energy without light...was great practice and will do it again in april to make sure everything is right for the big kickoff.

Chuc

3/12/2002 4:20:53 PM

Eagan,Minnesota

I am doing a few expirments with the 705 Ailts.....Took the embrio out of the shell.....It sprouted in 18 hours!!

3/13/2002 7:14:34 PM

Deer Park WA

Big Vine, try sticking it in a peat pot of soil or what ever, and see if the rapid growth continues!

3/13/2002 8:04:25 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hey Big Vine...Let me see if I got this right...the long spindley plant if buried to the leaves will root to that depth...I have done this with tomatoes but is it true with pumpkins...I have been pulling the first starter seeds I tried and only see a root ball at the very base nothing growing up the sides that was buried maybe two inces. Do you do something special to get the roots to track up the plant or do the next roots show at the first true leaves...would love to hear any experience on this from anyone..It would seem to me if you could get roots to come off the stem then a deep poting method would give you the ability to keep making the pot higer and keeping the root ball intact until planting time which would say make your main root start at two feet long at planting.

3/18/2002 2:38:19 PM

Western Pa.

I'm really not sure that the roots will "track up" the plant like on a tomato plant. The reason I bury my vine to the leaves is to protect the young stem, and to prevent winds from whipping the tender plant around. The root ball will expand and get larger, but the "stem" will be the start of your stump.These are very sensitive plants, and the longer they're kept in the pot, the harder the time they have "aclimating" and surviving.

kilr

3/18/2002 2:51:40 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hey Kilr,

Thanks for your response you got me through my first bad experience when the vine was drooping last year. As you can see I've been thinking about this alot and want to improve my chances this year. Once you've started the plant in the peat pot or container You would prefer to bury it to the leaves...How long would you say the plant is at that point and will an extra week inside be bad for the plant for "aclimating"..Do you think that hardening off is more important then initial root depth. I have some more practice seeds started now I'm going to see if I can get the roots to track by applying some rooting hormone...Will let you know what I find out. I've read everything that I can but still have questions only the experience guys can answer. Thanks

Chuck

3/18/2002 5:03:46 PM

Eagan,Minnesota

Guys......I am only saying this is what i do.....I get a stronger start on any vinning crop....You guys will have to expirment with it and see! I do remember somone on hear talking about it too,last year!
I think that the reason that i'm able to keep my plants inside longer then two weeks is that i put them in 3 gallon pots....1 plant per pot. :) Chris

3/18/2002 5:08:45 PM

Western Pa.

Chuck,

When I transplant the seedling outdoors, I cover the stem with soil. If your plant indoors looks long and "spindly", it is probably not getting enough light.If the seedling becomes "rootbound" indoors before being put out, it will adversely affect later growth of the plant. Most successful growers I know keep their plants in peat pots inside no more than a week. Then it is planted outside in a hoophouse which has been in place to pre-warm the soil.

kilr

3/18/2002 7:18:17 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Okay...since i had the plants growing and two where up I thought that I would try some rooting hormone and buried the stems...will let you know in a week if they sprouted any extra roots or if the root balls at the bottom of the stem is all that kept growing. also had two new filed seeds at about three days with an inch or two of new root i just planted them and put root hormone on one to see if the root ball would be larger then the untreated one..will pull in a week and see the results. chuck

3/20/2002 4:39:26 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

The buried stems never sprouted extra roots. It could be because of temperature fluctuations but nothing not a hair on either of the two treated stems. I experimented with planting the fresh seeds that I treated the 1" root with hormone and the gratest was the one I planted in coffee grounds only..By the end of the week it looked like an octopus was coming through the coffee grounds I waited for the other to peak throught the ground (regular Potting soil) before I pulled the coffee ground one. The root was huge but had turned around the seed and came to the surface. The medium was not thick enough to push the seed up. Won't try that again.

3/29/2002 6:56:13 PM