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Central NY

Hi all,

Filed seed, soaked seed for 3 hours in water, then went Baggie method 4 days ago with very rung out paper towel and have pretty consistent temperature under a light (between 83-86). I didn't file the tip of the seed.

Any thoughts to help me out to increase odds of germ? Thanks.

5/15/2014 6:25:30 PM

East Jordan, MI

You don't want to mess with the tip.

I haven't put much effort in the paper towel method because I had some problems with the roots sticking to the towel and I felt like the potential to damage the root when transferring to the starting media was too great, so I plant direct in soilless starting media and in 3-4 days they are above the media. So far I'm still at 100% after 5 years of plants for us, our backups, plants for beginner growers and many tests and trials over the winters using this method.
http://how2growags.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_20.html#_Germinating_the_seed

With that said.

How are you regulating/measuring the temp?

When you drop the seed on a hard surface does it sound like a potato chip?

Don't give up hope, if the seed is vialble, the moisture is there (and not too wet) and the heat is not to high, they will sprout. Just might take a few days.

If all else fails, you could try the "advanced starting method" described here.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/ViewArticle.asp?id=66

Good Luck

5/15/2014 7:52:38 PM

Central NY

Thanks Cntryboy.

5/15/2014 9:55:08 PM

Cedar Lake, IN.

the thin seeds I started took 48 and 56 hours to root. The thick seeds took five days to root. this was the damp paper towel in a plastic bag method.

5/16/2014 8:05:51 AM

Central NY

Thanks kurty. Still waiting here!

5/16/2014 11:44:45 PM

Central NY

Cntryboy, I realized I never answered your questions. I'm regulatig temp under a regular lamp with a 40 watt bulb. It has always between 84-87 since the seed has been in the bag. When I drop it, it does not sound like a potato chip...it feels relatively moist but this is a big thick seed. Worried I didn't get enough moisture into it and didnt file it enough.

5/17/2014 8:15:12 PM

Central NY

Also, I have another seed that I will be trying directly into promix tomorrow. It's a "thin" white seed and was planning on filing and soaking for an hour and then going into the media.

Question is around heating of the soil. I don't have a method to keep warm other than in a room with a regular lamp that I can keep at a good temperature as described above. Does it make sense to get it to break the surface and then move the pot to a window that gets full sun all day? Thanks.

5/17/2014 9:02:32 PM

Tasmania Australia

I have had prety much 100% strike rate using this method, been trying out a few things before our season starts here.
Potted over 20 seeds from a trial pumpkin i had last year and so far every one has striked in about 4 days.
Below is what i have been doing

5/17/2014 9:09:05 PM

Tasmania Australia

I filed both sides just untill you see the a new colour appear, usally just a shade of white, but don't file the tip(the sharp pointy end)
Then wrap each seed in paper towel, just a few layers and put a tied around it to stop it unwinding.
Then get a cup of warm water not hot and just put the wraped seed in it for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. the paper towel helps to keep the seed wet.

While it is soaking, get a pot (at least 15cm in diameter) and fill it 3/4 with seed raising mix, then put a layer of coarse sand on top about 0.5 cm thick.
When seed has finished soaking, unwrap it, and place it on the sand on its flat, not on its edge and sticking in, just lay it flat, then add another 0.5 cm of coarse sand on top.
Now the seed should be covered with coarse sand.
Then add about 10 - 20ml of water to the sand.
Then add another layer (about 2cm) of seed raising mix ontop of the sand.
Then place the pot in a plastic bag with the top sealed off.
Leave it like this for about 3 days, don't add anything else during this time, then on the third day add another 10 - 20ml of water and seal back up.
By the 5 the day the seed should be up, if not just add another 10 - 20ml of water ever second day.
Mine was sitting in a room between 22c - 25c
Hope this helps

5/17/2014 9:23:56 PM

Central NY

Thanks bluesilver.

5/18/2014 10:06:42 AM

East Jordan, MI

Just curious, Did the seed ever sprout?

Some people use heated water in jugs in a closed ice chest and just rotate them out every 8 to 12 hours. Others put them in a microwave or oven with the light on. Ive seen several homemade boxes with a light under a board or metal grate and the pots sitting on top of it. If you can contain the heating device and the pot/seed in a closed environment you can control the temp much easier (especially with a thermostat).

Keep trying different things till you find what works for you. They should sprout at room temp if not so wet that they rot first, but it may take a lot longer than if you can regulate and control the heat near 85-90 degrees

5/18/2014 9:00:26 PM

Central NY

Hi, the first seed never sprouted. I'm still holding on to some hope but not likely after 8 days. Tried a new one this morning following your technique. Ill update in a few days. Its in a cooler with a light in it. Soil temp right around 85'. Thanks again for help.

5/18/2014 9:38:48 PM

Central NY

I tried the advanced starting method as described above this morning. We will see how it goes. Seed seemed to be intact. We will see!

5/19/2014 8:05:43 AM

East Jordan, MI

if seed is still in tact, it may just have not been getting enough moisture/heat to pop, by removing the seed coat, it wont take long if it is viable.

5/19/2014 9:40:42 PM

Central NY

Agreed. As I'm very new to this, all I have read is to be careful to not over saturate with water. Hopefully tomorrow will bring some good news. If not, I will sacrifice it to the gods of sprouting seeds with a very large, very unsafe fire.

5/20/2014 2:24:18 AM

East Jordan, MI

I would give it a few days... and remember....
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=138447

5/20/2014 7:59:58 PM

Central NY

We got germ! The advanced method worked wonders. Thanks for all the help.

5/20/2014 8:32:11 PM

East Jordan, MI

Awesome! Persistence pays off yet once again. Good Luck!


p.s. Before next year get some practice seeds and practice, practice, practice, until you find a method that you are successful at more than not.

5/21/2014 7:05:25 PM

Tasmania Australia

Sounds like you have had some luck, well done.

5/21/2014 7:20:29 PM

Central NY

Thanks all. Will do. My backup seed also sprouted yesterday so have some good momentum.

One question: any issue if the ends of the cot leaves are yellow right when they break through? Thanks.

5/21/2014 10:01:44 PM

Concord, CA.

Newguy,
I have had a few practice seeds do that. They didn't look very good, but grew just fine through to that first true leaf. Then grew normally.
On my 1985 Miller, the second true leaf started with odd edges. The rest of the plant is growing well but that particular leaf is deformed.

5/22/2014 1:41:09 AM

East Jordan, MI

cots are only there to feed the plant until it gets the roots and first leaves going. No worries if they are damaged, not fully developed, curled, twisted, etc.

5/22/2014 8:16:45 AM

Central NY

Thank you Sir.

5/22/2014 9:29:41 AM

Central NY

Thanks NorCal. Hope you grow one bigger than DLS's O-Line!

5/22/2014 2:32:30 PM

Concord, CA.

Bigger than what?

5/22/2014 8:53:47 PM

Central NY

Concord De La Salle's Offensive line...are we allowed to mix pumpkins and football on this site?

5/22/2014 10:17:56 PM

Concord, CA.

Wow, you just came out of the backfield and clothes lined me with that one!! Yes, we can mix up pumpkins and pigskins. I'll just have to activate the rest of my brain first.
Thanks, I hope that I can beat the size of that line too!

5/22/2014 10:51:09 PM

Central NY

Haha. Nice. Back to pumpkins.

I have two going now, one broke through dirt 2 days ago and one 3 days ago. Have them under the grow light 18hrs a day. Have a beautiful sunny day here today. Would it be better to put them outside today and get some real sun then bring back under the lights this evening or keep them under the grow lights the whole time? Thanks.

5/23/2014 9:47:19 AM

East Jordan, MI

There is no substitute for real live sunshine. If it's warm enough (mid 50s and up) put them outside in the sun for as long as you can.

5/23/2014 9:13:05 PM

Central NY

Thanks Cntryboy. Appreciate this.

5/23/2014 11:04:50 PM

Ltb

maybe it was a old seed

6/16/2014 6:14:08 PM

Walhalla, ND

Help Needed!! I've been trying to grow g pumpkins for four years now. Last year got 4th place with one. This year is no different from past 4. I am having trouble starting seeds. I follow big pumpkins help and help from Hobbit. I sand paper, soak and place soil mix in heat chambers set between 79 and 85 degree's. Soil mix just right not wet nor dry and pre warmed in chambers for 24 hrs. Both 1461 Carrier and1586 Lyons did not germinate as of 5/5- planted on 5/2. Replaced both with Jarvis 1629 and Wallace 1733 on 5/6. The Kline 1877 (5/2) has germinated with a inch /half root, but has not sprouted after 5 days. The 1629 Carrier (5/2) has germinated with a 1/4 inch root only after 5 days. I've read where folks have sprouted after 3 to 4 days. What do I do different? Suggestions?

5/7/2018 1:46:30 PM