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Jasper, Indiana

This past year my pumpkins had alot of seeds with soft white tips. It is like the seeds were 95% developed. And then the seed shell stopped getting hard. The pumpkins were at least 60 days old.

Could this be caused by a low/high level of a certain mineral?

1/18/2012 8:21:01 AM

Colorado

Could be genetic.723 bobier seeds were just as you described

1/18/2012 1:06:12 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Only way to determine is a tissue test.

1/18/2012 2:01:27 PM

milford, CT,

I've germinated many incomplete seed shells..most of them come out fully developed..I wouldn't judge a seeds potential on what it looks like.. 2years ago I grew a 1/2 developed 1385 Jutras and ended the year with a 1248 lb pumpkin. On the other side..I do think you have to be careful about shelf life of incomplete seeds..in my opinion I think they my loose their virility faster..So if you want to plant a seed that is incomplete don't wait and store it for a long time..Plant it.

1/19/2012 10:35:23 PM

Cameron

We're not sure what causes it but, our 1678 was grown from a 901 seed that was only 60-70% developed. In fact over 60% of the seeds from the 901 were like that. When germinated, the cots didn't fully develop out to their full potential, but the plant looks good from there on out.

I'm not sure about loosing their virility faster, as the 723 was viable for many years afterwards. As for our 901, it was grown in 2009 & is still producing decent sized pumpkins over 1000#, if treated properly.

Don't give up on a seed that has white tips, as it might just be the one to grow you a new PB. We hope this helps.

Jane & Phil

1/20/2012 8:07:53 AM

Jasper, Indiana

Thanks for all the replies.

The comments about these seeds still being able to germinate makes sense. Because when I was removing the seeds from the pumpkin there were some seeds that started to grow inside the pumpkin (I could see where the seed shells had started to open and part of the cots were visible)and it appeared that the cots were for the most part fully developed.

1/20/2012 8:25:06 AM

Lloydminster/AB

I've germinated seeds that had less than a third of the seed filled. Had to remove the seed coat and have everything perfect. Just one of things you do waiting for the patch to thaw. I can't remember which seed it was, one of my own that was immature but still I was surprised how immature a seed can be and still pop. Those white tipped seeds are common in my patch, I'm sure from the slow maturing seed trait of those Bobbier fruit.

1/20/2012 12:41:43 PM