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Entry Date
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Location
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Tuesday, April 24, 2012
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EP
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Ashland, KY
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Entry 57 of 154 |
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I read in a peer-reviewed biology journal a few things that drove this idea (it was a study of pea seeds, not pumpkin, so take with grain of salt): First- some cells of the embryo die immediately upon the seed being submerged in water (probably due to hypoxia/low oxygen), and second- rehydration of the dessicated seed needs to proceed very slowly in order to reactivate the enzymes and other molecules that are dehydrated during seed drying and storage. The scientists recommended three things- using polyethylene glycol in water to slow the rehydration (hard for most folks to find this stuff); or incubation of the seed in 100% humidity for a day, then planting; or soaking the seed tip in a paper towel that is simply wicking water,from a pool of water. Ths last thing seemed easy and is what I did, then into damp Jiffy Mix soil in 86 deg incubator. I think the key is slow introduction of a little water, warmth, and oxygen (air). A lot of folks just file and plant in damp soil....seems like this is quite reasonable!
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