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Il

ok since this is my first year drying seeds to keep for next year I have an odd question. Is there a way to tell if the seeds are worth keeping?
My sister says if they float in water then their not worth saving (should just roast those), if they sink then they are worth drying and keeping. is this true?

any help in this matter would be great, since I do want to keep the seeds from my first officialy weighed pumpkin. It wasn't the largest, but made one hell of a jack o lantern

10/29/2006 2:46:24 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

AG seeds usually do float so that trick doesn't help us much. I wash them in a 5% bleach solution, towel them off & remove the remaining pulp buts, spread on a screen so they aren't overlapping, place next to a dehumidifier with a fan blowing slowly for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks I shut off the fan but run the dehumidifier for another 2-3 weeks. The skins will fall off after all this or they may be left on. It doesn't matter unless they're blowing all over the family room carpet in which case I have to vacuum.;o)

10/29/2006 5:22:34 PM

Lexington, Ky

Painful as it may sound, perform a squeeze test on each seed that you plan to keep. You will eliminate many by doing this.

10/30/2006 8:40:18 AM

addison Il

can you tell i dont want any competition in the patch dear sister of mine LOL heck you beat me and sisters first yr weight and i dont want you back next yr beating me so keep floating the seeds listin to your fav sister in fact i have tons of ideas you might want to try on just your seeds let me think hmmmmmmmmmmmm LOL im kidding listen to these guys and gals they know what there doing i have no clue.

11/7/2006 11:38:35 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

I have read several times about a drop test...after seeds are dried, you can tell by the sound when you drop them from 2 or three " if they are solid or hollow...Us nu-B's need some help here...c'mon you pro's...help us out. Peace, Wayne

11/7/2006 11:39:37 PM

Montoursville, PA

Take an average ten seeds and run a germination test. Professional seed companys plant hundreds to test germination and report the results on the seed packets.

11/8/2006 11:00:57 AM

Follansbee, Wv

The drop test is easy. Drop each seed on a hard surface, like a kitchen counter. The hollow ones are obvious by the sound they make. I have already thrown all of my hollow seeds away or I would send you a few so you can tell the difference. But, as soon as you drop a hollow seed, you'll know it...trust me.

11/8/2006 3:32:20 PM

Marion,IN

What I have found helpful is to weigh the seeds. The digital scales I have weighs in grams (it's a small coin scale)so it is pretty evident right away which seeds are viable and which are not. Hope this helps.

Mark

11/17/2006 8:09:14 AM