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Topsfield, MA

Hi, I've been trying to germinate my pumpkins seeds fur a long time and I've only gotten 2 to germinate , I wanted to try to germinate a few more for the past month but nothing is working, I am sanding the seeds and then I'm soaking them then putting them in a moist paper towel and trust me I squeezed all the water out that I could, all I am getting 3 days later is rotten seeds, I honestly don't know what's going on, I tried soaking them in kelp but nothing , any reccomendations for how to germinate a seed?


Thanks

12/14/2016 3:23:16 PM

Topsfield, MA

I put the paper towel in a bag after on top if my fridge

12/14/2016 3:24:04 PM

Wisconsin

Are the seeds full henry? Drop on your table before soaking its hard to describe but they should sound solid when it hits the table, if it sounds tin like its probably no good. If you have full seeds the above method should work, other than that a little more heat would likely help.

12/14/2016 3:50:24 PM

Princeville, IL

High temps. I like 85 to 90 .degrees in my germinating chamber

12/14/2016 3:56:53 PM

Topsfield, MA

Yes all seeds are completing full, is there any way I could possibly make a germination chamber? Putting it on top of the fridge is just not working for me,

12/14/2016 4:04:53 PM

Norfolk, UK

Hi Henry,

You don't say if it's the seed of just one particular pumpkin that you're trying to germinate. Do you have other pumpkin seed you can check the method with at the same time to double check if method - or seed - is not working?

Of the two pumpkin seeds I saved this year; one was in it's prime and it germinates great. Another went on display first and seeds were rescued from soup. Seeds from that pumpkin, mainly rot before terminating - perhaps 20% germination using exactly the same method.

12/14/2016 4:37:33 PM

Topsfield, MA

Hi, Ok so I grew 2 kins this year a 514 and 539.5 the 539.5 was a soupy pumpkin when I opened it up, I am having trouble with both seeds from both if the kins, the seeds from soupy kin I think are as good as the pumpkin that wasent souky but I don't know I only have 1 seed that germinated and that seed was from the 539.5 I've tried multiple from both kins but only got 1 seed from 539.5 to sprout, do u have any ideas on what it could be? Both seeds are full

12/14/2016 4:52:49 PM

Jericho Vermont

Henry if they are brown shelled seeds I would suggest trying a new batch and sanding them deeper before soaking them as it is not unusual for newer growers to not sand deep enough. I also soak for a couple of hours in a solution of half water and half hydrogen peroxide which also softens the shell. If you are just using the top of the fridge for heating it may take a few more days to get a sprout. It is good to practice and you have a long winter to do it in.

12/14/2016 5:13:07 PM

Topsfield, MA

Ok, I only have this kelp,food, so would I sand them then soak them in Kelp fur a few hours then put them in a paper towel in a warm area? I can put them under my growing light, would the light be to much? I do feel like I need more heat though.

Thanks

12/14/2016 5:22:01 PM

Topsfield, MA

I would put the paper towel in a bag I forgot to include that above

12/14/2016 5:22:55 PM

Topsfield, MA

It's very frustrating I always put my paper towel in a bag and I'm it getting any results

12/14/2016 7:12:31 PM

50 Acres

I start mine in the oven, with the oven lite on. Its about 85 degrees. You seem to be doing things right. Jim, winters frustrating.

12/14/2016 7:50:57 PM

Topsfield, MA

What do u do after you take them out of the microwave do u do the paper towel method?

12/14/2016 8:02:46 PM

scratchin head ? microwave

practice practice practice

12/14/2016 8:09:24 PM

Topsfield, MA

I will try that

12/14/2016 8:18:27 PM

Topsfield, MA

I will try to get heat up to 85 but I don't think il do it in the microwave

12/14/2016 8:20:01 PM

50 Acres

Electric oven not microwave. I pot them in potting mix. Ive had them up in as little as 48 hrs.

12/14/2016 8:27:56 PM

Topsfield, MA

Ohh, ok so what are the steps to do that, you put them in but what do u have to do to the seed?

12/14/2016 8:56:55 PM

Topsfield, MA

Like do u have to sand it?

12/14/2016 8:57:09 PM

50 Acres

Same as you have been doing. Sand Soak plant in potting soil in a peat pot. place near oven lite in oven .leave oven lite on. If you don't get germination , im thinking the seeds were not completely dry and are spoiling inside the shell. Best advice I can give. JIM

12/14/2016 9:22:09 PM

Topsfield, MA

Ok, thanks for the advice I will try that,

-Henry

12/14/2016 9:31:18 PM

Central NY

Or maybe try what you are doing but put the bag in a red solo cup on top of the cable box...thats my secret

12/14/2016 10:30:48 PM

Topsfield, MA

Ok Il try both ways thanks

12/15/2016 5:54:18 AM

Colorado

15 watt light bulb in a medium sized cooler gets you in the mid 80's-25 watt is too hot

12/15/2016 12:20:14 PM

Western ny

i do not sand seeds ,,,,i soak seeds for 30 min.,,,,, paper towel,,,,, 85 temp ---- i think you may be sanding into the inter seed ----dont fool with mother nature --good luck

12/15/2016 3:14:52 PM

Topsfield, MA

Ok, I'm sanding them right I think but I think it may be a temp issue

Thanks

12/15/2016 6:07:00 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

How about just trying to put them in some moist sterile soiless potting media. I find most new growers kill their seeds by watering way too much, or cooking them. If you can squeeze any water out, it is too wet.

12/15/2016 10:08:56 PM

Central Illinois

professional advice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF-5lKWiNvE

12/16/2016 10:02:37 AM

Topsfield, MA

Bubba I've been trying that meatbod for a long time and it has not worked at all, I tried that Tuesday seeds rotted by today, the paper towel was moist i got all the water out as I could, where can I buy some moist sterile soillesspotting mix, ?I can try that Method

12/16/2016 11:30:28 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

Henry,
You may already know this, but when sanding the seeds, make sure not to sand the tip of the seed, as this is where the root comes out. Don't sand too deep. If you sand the edges and hit the green layer, that's too far IMO. The seeds may still germinate, but the cots may be slightly damaged when germination occurs.

12/16/2016 4:21:55 PM