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Virginia

Hello to all,
This is my first year, and things have been interesting - it is a learning experience - but I just took 1st place at the county fair with a A G cross, and it was only the 2nd biggest one in the garden - we couldn't lift the really BIG one. If it keeps growing we'll put it in the state fair in late Sept.

Anyway, to save seeds for next year, should I leave an "extra" pkin on the vine until late fall (thinking the seeds may mature more even after the pkin has quit growing), or should I go ahead and cut the seeds out as soon as the outside quits growing? When are the seeds mature? Also, to save them -- should I just rinse them thoroughly and let them dry for a couple weeks on top the refrigerator? Any helpful suggestions will be appreciated!
Thanks, and good luck to all

8/14/2005 9:44:24 AM

Hayes, Virginia

Good Job Mark.
Congrats on the FIRST PLACE !!.
The deadline for entry for the State fair is Sept.2nd.
you can sign up on line.
have to have your entry in between 9-10am on the 24th.
They have a special award this year for the prettiest pumpkin last year most pumpkins were fugugly.
Mark the top ten weights will win a rosette,top five money.
seeds letem dry for couple weeks.
see you at State
Ed

8/14/2005 11:04:04 AM

Montoursville, PA

Congrats!!! Know you feel great with the win. Generally seeds that are 60 days or more will be good seed. If you want to wash the slippery stuff off just get in the bucket with both hands and have at it. Experience is the best teacher. All the goo and starchy residule must be washed off. Make the last wash using a couple of ounces of Clorox. Spread them out on a medium pile towell and put a fan on them. Turn them and pick out the rejects as they dry. In about a week you will see a transparent skin covering begin to loosen up. Keep that fan going. If the towell gets damp change towells. Store in a Mason Jar and check carefully for sweat on the jar. If you get sweat or odor they are not dry and will rot. Dump and dry some more! As soon as they are dry do a germination test with about ten seeds. If they germinate you have good seeds. With a little experience you will develop an eye for what is and what is not a good seed. Even if they look flat and skinny they may germinate just fine. Doing this is just one more fun thing in our hobby. A pumpkin may have from a few, to hundreds, of seed.

8/14/2005 7:28:38 PM