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York, Maine

OK - this is probably the dumbest question on here but here goes - Two years ago, I grew some big pumpkins by accident. Bought some giant max seedlings (I thought they were regular pumpkins)& they did very well.
Now, I am trying to grow some bigger pumpkins on purpose! I bought some giant atlantic seeds.
THE QUESTION: If I grow a really big pumpkin, and want to save the seeds from that pupmpkin to use next year, what do I have to do? eg do I need to dry them out some way, best temperature/method for storage, etc.?
Any info for this novice would be appreciated. Thanks.

7/17/2004 5:12:42 AM

Bristol, ME (stunner906@roadrunner.com)

Hi Peggy. The method most of us use is to wash them thoroughly after you harvest them, then spread them out on an old window screen with a fan on them. Turn them after 24 hours as they will stick together. I continue the fan and turning for 3 weeks as it takes a significant amount of time to thoroughly dry the embryo inside the seed coat. After 3 weeks I peel the 'onion skin' off of each seed and store in manila envelopes in my seed fridge.
Hope this helps...

7/17/2004 6:05:43 AM

York, Maine

Thank you stunner, it's lot more than I knew an hour ago! Do you keep the fan running 24/7? And can I use my regular fridge as a seed frige eg do I need a particular temperature? Can I use a cool basement (@50 to 55 degrees F)?
Thanks again.

7/17/2004 6:20:46 AM

Bristol, ME (stunner906@roadrunner.com)

I leave the fan on 24/7. You can store them anywhere cool where the temperature is fairly constant. Some store in basement, some in the fridge, freezer or under the bed. Cool seems to help extend the shelf life. If you store in the basement, make sure the container is rodent-proof.

7/17/2004 9:28:42 AM

Syracuse, NY

couple more options.
if you're impatient like me, you can use a food dehydrator,
SLIGHTLY modified (on mine, i had to cut-out a few pieces of window screen to keep the seeds from falling through
the trays that are a part of the unit, but the unit
has been worth EVERY penny of the $39.95 at Wal-Mart. (i
believe the brand name was NESCO)----at its lowest setting of about 90-95 degrees, the seeds are, in my opinion and observation, as
dry as can be in 3 or 4 days (72 hours straight, although one more day cannot hurt!) and then they go into Mason jars, the quart size, for a long, dry waiting period
until they get sent-out to other growers. there have been numerous discussions on here about what the best way is.
this just happens to be mine, and i am sure that i do NOT have a 100 percent barrier form any moisture, but darned close to it!
the constant temperature of room temp. comes from just that. i keep them in my bedroom, because i wouldn't feel they were safe anywhere else! any questions email me.......eric/'pal2

7/26/2004 4:20:22 PM

Ohio

Pumpkin, thats the way i do mine also,and I use the same food dehydrator with the window screens cut out, wonder who gave me that idea??,lol It does work great!

Brooks

11/27/2004 3:34:56 PM

Spanish Ontario

hi PEG I WASH SEED , S THEN PUT IN COADBOARD BOX 2X4 PUNCH HOLES IN BOTOM OF BOX HANG OVER HEAT IN BASMENT EVERYDAY I
SHAKE BOX TILL DRY THEN I SHAKE SEED.,S IN FRONT OF FAN THE FINE SHELL WILL COME OFF BY IT,S SELF KEN

11/27/2004 4:57:26 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

I wash, on window screens between 2 sawhorses, dry for 1 month with fans 24/7 both top and bottom, store in the cool garage in jars.
I used to freeze them all but only put seeds I'm gonna plant the next season in the freezer....something about replicating mother natures freeze/thaw cycle I like, and my freezer got too small for food *and* 10,000 or so seed. (I do alot of crosses every year)

11/28/2004 6:06:40 AM

Indiana

Just be careful where you put the seeds while you are drying them. I have lost a whole pumpkins worth in one night to a mouse or chipmunk. That would have been funny to watch.

11/28/2004 10:20:31 AM

Wichita, KS

LOL! your sense of humor is better than mine, Moondog!

12/10/2004 6:42:32 PM

Picton,ON (j.vincent@xplornet.ca)

You may want to get some seeds from somebody on this web site. There are lots of great seeds free for the asking. I grew 3 plants from a farm store AG seed pack last year and three from "competitive" seed lines. The largest on the store bought seed was 225 lbs. The largest on the competitve strain seed was 721.5. They all got the same TLC. The store bought seeds produced nice orange good shaped large pumpkins. I sold 5 for $20-$25 each for jack-o-lanterns. Not too many people want a 700 lb jack-o-lantern.
If you want some competitive seed, send me an e-mail

1/15/2005 10:18:00 AM

York, Maine

Thanks to everyone who replied. Really helpful info.

4/26/2005 6:54:54 PM

York, Maine

Another dumb question: If I want to try freezing a few seeds, must I still dry them first? Or can I wash & freeze directly? I have one of those vacuum seal machines.
Thanks!

4/26/2005 7:05:50 PM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

they need to be dried

4/27/2005 3:24:17 AM