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Sydney, Australia

I now have sucess with the advance seed start method! What I was doing wrong was having the paper towel too wet and the bag totally sealed. It works very well with the paper towel only just damp and the snap lock bag open slightly. But I think I have come across a very good heat source. The freezer in my garage has warm metal mesh on the back. I could feel the slight heat. What I did was place the naked seeds between a damp folded paper towel in the baggy and hang it vertically off the heated mesh at the back of the freezer. Within 24 hours all 3 seeds had root growth! By 48 hours all had inch long roots ready for seed raising mix. Being vertical is good as the roots grow straight down. I think this works very well indeed. All three seeds popped up within another 36 hours, green and seed leaves intact. Total time 84 hours from shell removal, 100% sucess so far......Ben

5/8/2002 5:55:22 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

good job Ben, It took me awhile and a few seeds to get the hang of clipping the seed down. sounds like your in! chuck

5/8/2002 6:39:40 AM

Webster, NY

Thanks for the update Ben. I can get the seeds to germinate, but my technique for removing the seed coat still needs work.

5/8/2002 7:51:08 AM

Kennett Square, PA

Interesting methodology. One has to worry about next steps however. Tender root-hairs are very delicate and suseptable to breaks or drying out in minutes! Personally, a 4" peat moss pot or larger placed on a plastic tray (the kid you get in a supermarket for flats of b-day cakes)over two heating pads set for medium does great. I monitor the soil temperature at seed depth in a placebo pot (no seed)and keep it at 80-85F. Transplanting is accomplished upon secondary leaves (also the time the roots poke through the pot).

Gary

5/18/2002 7:57:18 PM