From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Caceres, Spain

What do you think about placing the seeds in a freezer for a couple of weeks before starting them, in order to replicate nature winter cold if at all possible? In other vegetables there are some reports talking about this method to be good to enlarge fruits weight.
Carlos

1/14/2003 1:48:01 PM

Edmonton, Canada

Many people do this, and say that it helps in the germination process!

1/14/2003 2:06:40 PM

Greene County, Pa.

Is the shell on a pumpkin seed strong enough to withstand freezing temps. for a long time? I know some seed are not strong enough and they will crack open and be no good?

Buddy

1/14/2003 2:13:44 PM

Timewell Il

???? what is one to do? I have heard freezer and frig, one says freezer is to cold and frig has to much humidity I am not comdeeming anyone would just like to treat my future wourld champs the proper way.
TIM

1/14/2003 10:09:34 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

A seed with a split shell can germinate if the endosperm is undamaged. Shell comes off easier too.
If you dry properly and wrap properly, the freezer.

1/14/2003 10:17:54 PM

Caceres, Spain

Garlics, for instance, germinate faster if they have been stores two weeks in the fridge prior to germination
Carlos

1/15/2003 2:14:35 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

almost all bulb plants have to cycle through cold first...was always told to force a bulb freeze it first...may just be an old wives tale.

1/15/2003 5:58:16 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Not an old wives tail Chuck. Nature does things this way & sometimes when we play, we have to follow the rules.

Since I now have more seed than I can plant, I'd like to confirm the best means of long term storage. Fridge or freezer? Perhaps the back & forth cycle to duplicate nature?

I pre-treat creeping Bentgrass seed (putting greens & tees) to the freezer treatment & the seed pops much faster. Both fridge & freezer are good for long term storage of Bent seed. The low temps help maintain viablility. Low humidity keeps down fungal pathogens. Either helps to duplicate natures freeze & thaw cycles which are normal in the area these seeds are indigenous to.

Steve

1/15/2003 6:13:40 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

Freezer

1/15/2003 6:27:43 PM

syracuse, ny

well, concerning this topic, oddly reading this AFTER i called the Department of Agriculture seed Lab in Colorado
today, the guy to talk to will be back next week--- i will try to remember to relay that information to y'all when i find out. i have been storing my seeds in gallon glass jars
with a giant desiccant packet in each jar, lid on tight,
at room temp of 67-70 or so for about 1.5 years now,
both seeds to die for as well as my own! (LOL)
well, guess i'll find out soon if that's okay or not.
i just figured dryness and constant temp was good----'pal

1/17/2003 8:16:55 PM

Mastic Beach, New York

pumpkinpal thats how i was told to keep my seeds stored.2 years now.


billy

1/17/2003 8:30:58 PM

Deer Park WA

I have seeds in my freezer from cucumbers, tomatoes, summer squash and beans that I got from my grandfathers freezer after he passed away that have dates from 1983 on them. I germinated, and grew some great tasting, vigerous tomatoes and beans from them last year, germination rate was about 80%.

1/19/2003 2:10:41 AM