From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Chesterfield, MO

Has anyone tried putting their seeds in boiling water to try to rid the seed of disease etc. I heard that Lincoln Mettler might have done this. How long did you soak? What were your results? Thanks!

3/30/2003 12:41:02 AM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

wow! It really sounds heavy. It seems to me that a seed damaged is what you will have. But...

3/30/2003 3:36:01 AM

Walton N.y.

i've heard of growers using large coolers to start their seeds and to warm the soil and space inside the cooler filling milk jugs with hot water as the heat source and depending on how big the cooler is and how big and how many milk jugs used along with how hot of water in the jugs the temp would remain pretty constant for about 12 hrs could this be what you're thinking of

3/30/2003 7:53:13 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

There are some tree species that not only tolerate extreme heat, but require it to grow. Forest fires are the normal means of starting these pinus species.

I doubt that pumpkin seeds would tolerate this sort of treatment though. They're tastier when pan fried in olive oil (with a touch of salt), but probably sterile.

There are easier ways to reduce fungal pathogen levels pn the cover (including removal of the cover) that would be less risky. Peroxide comes to mind.

Steve

3/30/2003 7:53:37 AM

So. Maine

Randy, a drop light inside a cooler works very good, adjust the cover to regulate temp. Put a thermometer in the bottom and maintain 90-95 degrees and sprinkle a little water in the cups every 12 hrs. ---- Al

3/30/2003 9:30:37 PM

Utah

I doubt that Lincoln boils his seeds. I think it would kill them.
I boiled some seeds once is salt water... then baked them and ate them.
the little space between the top of my refigerator and the cabnets above stays at 85-90 degress. That is where i start my seeds.

3/31/2003 10:37:12 AM

syracuse, ny

hey that TOUCHES on something i didn't think of 'till just now...perhaps a shelf wwwaaayyy at the top of a room in your house could have a high-enough temperature to germinate seeds,,, maybe not 90* like i like, but for other seeds like tomatoes and some flowers--i think i will put a thermometer (digital) up there and see....man, am i bored!
we just got about 5-6 inches of snow yesterday--thought i would be tilling this coming weekend!

3/31/2003 3:20:04 PM

Walton N.y.

al,
a few years ago i redesigned my own seed starter i saw on sale at wal-mart theirs was big enough to start 24 or 36 small seeded plants like tomatoes or peppers i made mine big enough to start 8 -6" peat pots it uses a 25watt bulb and a utility lamp base (about $2) a cord off an old lamp some scrap plywood it took about an hour to make and some fine tuning to get a constant 85-90 temp and use it to start all my garden seeds for giant watermelons i go to a 40watt bulb and get 90-95 tomatoes and peppers a 15 watt bulb 75-80

4/1/2003 10:01:01 AM

Montoursville, PA

I use a cooler with a regular household heater between it and the floor. 85 - 90 degrees comes up when I am set at low medium heat or second step in a four place switch. Works fine! Warm up your planting medium for two days befor planting. Three to four days will show plant in a damp soil favoring the dry side. Six to eight days will show true leaf. Time to plant in garden when true leaf shows.

Practice to gain confidence in germination proceedure.

4/1/2003 10:45:03 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

Boiling=death

4/1/2003 6:48:56 PM

Chesterfield, MO

Thanks for everyone's posts...ya you're right I think I killed them! They havent come up yet but I will give them a few days and then redo my tests without the fatal error. Thanks everybody

4/1/2003 7:33:18 PM

Chesterfield, MO

Much to my surprise one of the seedlings has burst through the soil!! But..this seedling will probably not go in the patch as it is just a test. Will keep you posted with pics in my diary soon...

4/3/2003 12:19:09 AM