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Cheyenne,WY

This might be a newbie question, but when I cut three of my pumpkins open, I found crystal formations. It was like looking into a cave. My biggest had crystals below the stem and in two cracks that had formed. The crystals were heavy and dense so I figured that’s why my pumpkin went heavy. Is it common for pumpkins to crystalize inside?

Question two: Is it common for the seeds to germinate even before the pumpkin is cut open? My kid’s pumpkin seeds germinated. I found a few good ones, but I’m kind of leery to give them away since we had found so many others that germinated. Do you think any of the seeds would be good and is this a common problem?

Thanks!

11/6/2011 9:52:12 AM

Linden, Mi.,

When the fruit is done growing (all done), yes the seeds will sprout in side the fruit.

11/6/2011 10:17:07 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

If you look in my 2008 diary, I have some pictures of 'calcite crystals' inside a fruit I grew that had dill rings and internal cracks.

Yes, seeds can sprout inside the fruit. Anything you harvested that wasn't showing signs of splitting or spitting out a root will be sound enough to grow. At the point of the dried seed there is a little tiny hole or dent, if that is visible the seed wasn't trying to sprout and will be good to grow.

11/6/2011 12:40:18 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Gout ridden...?? lol thatZ a new one on me....lol

11/6/2011 5:52:49 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

This is very common..I see it in both pepo and maximas I carve.

11/6/2011 8:13:06 PM

Rhode Island

gonna be a long winter wiz

11/7/2011 5:48:48 AM

Westford, MA

Here in New England we call those crystals, "co Growers Gonads".

Handle with care and the seeds are good for a lifetime. Providing your "Hose" still works.

11/7/2011 11:04:34 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

PapZ...you are so wiZe....lol

11/8/2011 7:21:35 AM