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Sparks, NV

hi i am a new grower and i grew giant pumpkins 2 years ago i did not grow last year because i wanted to just have a regular garden now i am urging to go and i forgot what to do i remember that you tack off the seed shell but forgot the rest of the procedure can anyone help please because i haven't started seeds yet and i am afraid i wont be growing again this year.
thank you so much baum.
p.s. when do i stat seeds.

3/29/2010 5:16:48 PM

El Paso TX.

There are several methods for starting seeds - If you go to the Home page of this site and look under How To's there are a couple that explain it really well - I used this one ( http://www.bigpumpkins.com/ViewArticle.asp?id=33&gid=3 ) and had good results (2 out of 3 are currently up and growing (421 Drum 0 and 851 Fowler 09) - the third was a pretty immature seed that was grown just for the genetics and didn't germinate) - I've got the 2 out under lights right now and am putting 2 more and several watermelon and cantelope seeds into the germination chamber today - Plan on planting the first 2 seeds this weekend and the others about a week or so later.

For when to start with you being in Nevada it should be safe to start pretty soon but it seems most people wait a couple more weeks to start the seeds mid to late April to get in the ground beginning of May.

Good Luck !!

3/29/2010 5:34:08 PM

Simi valley, ca

seed starter mix is good , not planter mix not potting soil , SEED STARTER MIX ! but even better than that is to get petmoss- perlite -vermiculite approx 1/3rd ea if you have rain water use it or just water I put 1/2 teaspoon of seaweed solution in a quart of water ,(But not necessary) get the mix wet & squeeze mix with hands & get excess water out! put in peat pots or similar put seed point down , top of seed should be 1/2 inch under mix, I would not recommend soaking seeds or filling them, AND MOST IMPORTANT DO NOT KEEP WATERING THEM !! place somewhere that will keep the mix & seeds approx 85-88* Wait few days- The first 2 leafs will be the cot leafs, then the first true leaf will appear , i try to plant as soon as i can see the true leaf ,the vine should go opposite the first true leaf & it will if you coax it that way, use magnifying glass to tell direction of the true leaf , without its hard to see at first ! Reason is the roots are very fast growing so plant as soon as possible , Good luck !!

4/4/2010 4:17:31 PM

Simi valley, ca

PS watering is the part that kills seeds Do not over water or get mix soaking wet Or keep it soaking wet! But if mix dries you will need a small amount of water but usely not for 2-3 days after starting !

4/4/2010 4:22:25 PM