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Paradise Mountain, New York

I was wondering if anyone knew what the black spots where on pumpkin seeds? Does this also mean the seeds are no good? Thanks

10/15/2003 2:04:40 PM

Webster, NY

The black spot on seeds are generally a fungus. If you try to germinate them with the black spot, the plant will die. If you remove the seed coat and then germinate the seed, as described in the "advanced seed starting method" you should be all right.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/ViewArticle.asp?id=66

10/15/2003 2:25:44 PM

North Ga

I chunk all seeds with black spots. Too many other hardy seeds to be had.

10/15/2003 3:13:53 PM

ontario

usually nothing wrong with them......they will usually germinate fine.....abit of fungus has attacked them......

10/15/2003 4:00:04 PM

Before sowing such a seed I would treat it with a solution of H2O2. This will kill the fungus, sometimes the black spots even disappear.
Martin

10/15/2003 5:25:31 PM

Stouffville

the fungus is on the shell, which protects the 'guts' of it all, the genetics, which are somewhere in the green part in the middle

10/15/2003 5:33:29 PM

Stouffville

but has anyone noticed that these black spotted seeds are harder to germinate? that is probably the only concern

10/15/2003 5:34:19 PM

Brillion Wisconsin

The seeds from my 755 fruit that cracked in mid sept. were in good shape. I tossed about 40 seeds(25%) due to mold. The other seeds that I kept about half developed small black spots. I test germinated 5 of them and had 100% success with the spotted seeds. Not sure how good they will be spring. I might try freezing a few and treating the other with a powder fungicide. Dean

10/15/2003 6:09:18 PM

Liverpool , England

Yooo Brian,
When you collect seeds out of the pumpkin they are covered in sugars from the fruit and if not washed clean then microbs eat the sugars and leave the black mould. When the seeds are dry I dust em down with sulphur powder to kill off anything thats on em. Never had any problems germinating any seed with black mould on.

Alun

10/15/2003 8:01:26 PM

Webster, NY

As I understand it, the seeds with black mold on them will germinate, but the mold will spread and kill the seedling. I don't know what will happen if it's treated immediatly.

Alun, you treat them when dry and probably kill the mold. Does anyone know if left untreated, what happens?

10/15/2003 8:05:31 PM

[email protected]

The black will not harm the seed, plant, or the fruit. If you dust your seeds (black, red, or nothing on them at all) after a few days with captan, you will be fine. I usually take all of them and put them in a milk carton (dried out) and put one teaspoon of captan on, and close it, shake it, and then let them finish thier drying. Captan is an antifungal that will aid in a healthy seed, plant, and fruit.

Hope this helps..

10/15/2003 8:25:15 PM

Stouffville

once a seed has germinated for me, i've never had a problem with mould or fungus killing the seedling. but i'm pretty sure mould has prevented some of my seeds from germinating

10/15/2003 8:27:31 PM

[email protected]

I go along with Alun on this one. That black mold is usually only present on seeds that have been exposed to the atmosphere too long with the "pumpkin guts" still on them. Prompt removal of seeds & a thorough washing should prevent this unless a split made it's way into the cavity unnoticed.

At any rate, these are molds & not plant pathogenic fungi. So no harm should become the seedling.

To be sure those seeds are good it might be wise to split a bad looking one. If the interior looks normal then the seed coat has done it's job as Mother intended. Then test germinate a few to gain peace of mind.

Steve

10/15/2003 9:34:10 PM

Montoursville, PA

For the seed that came out of my rotten internal stew I washed clean. Final wash included 10% Chlorox and a standard fungicide added. When dried to about 40% moisture they germinated as would be expected. I have played with a few and can not bring the mold back. I got about 60% germination from seed removed August 29th. The best result was by sanding the edges and soaking in kelp and H202 half an hour. To look at them you might discard them.

10/15/2003 9:53:24 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

Thanks to all the guys who had the best advise on this subject. It's also interesting to see what different one have to say about different things. Thanks again

10/15/2003 10:15:40 PM