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Denver, CO

Last couple weeks I've been practicing seed starting. And the results have been abysmal.

20 attempts total - 12 in potting soil and 8 using paper towel method. Only 3 germed, and 2 of those had damaged cots.

I'm working in a cooler with heating pad at the bottom. Keeping the temps at seed level between 85-90. I've tried soak lengths ranging from 30 minutes to 8 hours. I've tried different soil moisture levels. None of these adjustments seem to have changed the final result.

So my hypothesis now is that something is wrong with the seeds I'm using. All the seeds I've used are from a pumpkin I grew last year.

Is that even possible? Do some pumpkins just produce seeds with bad germination rates?

4/12/2012 11:52:39 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

I used the cooler and heat pad method as well, but switched it up this year cause it gets too hot inside. That being said, somehing is off whether it be temps, moisture or bad seeds. Are all those seeds from the same pumpkin and are they all viable? If the seeds are good, you are doing something wrong as 3/20 is not good.

4/12/2012 12:03:03 PM

Colorado

Yes,some seeds wont sprout. Ive had pumpkins with normal looking seeds that none would sprout.

4/12/2012 12:26:39 PM

Westford, MA

Potting soil is too heavy!!

You want to use "Seed Starting" mix.
It's a lot fluffier than regular potting soil.
I've had great luck since the late George AHAB Caron, told me to use that mix instead of the potting soil.

I use clear, snap-up pill boxes.
You don't have to open them to see the roots have popped.
Squeeze almost all the moisture out of the mix.

The pill box's compartments seal, and keep the moisture fairly consistent.

Might not find the "Seed STARTING" mix in the big box stores, may need to go to a garden center.

Good Luck
kevin

4/12/2012 1:40:11 PM

President - GPC

Andrew, give WiZzzy a email.....GarytheWiZ@comcast.net

4/12/2012 3:24:59 PM

Polson, Montana

I am 100% thus far on germination this year. I make my own starter mix out of Canadian Sphangnum peat moss and perlite. I typically use a 5 inch peat pot, put in a tray with clear cover and put on a heat mat. 85-90 degrees.

4/12/2012 3:32:59 PM

President - GPC

I have used the Fertilome mix with the red label and have great successes.

4/12/2012 4:39:01 PM

South Hero, VT

Some seeds don't germ, but usually it's soil/soil too wet/temp too low/soil too dry/edges not filed.

It took me 2 years to learn how to start seeds correctly.

Thank God for growers who gave me free seeds to learn on.

4/12/2012 7:38:40 PM

Sourthern Utah

some years .. i get 100%,, others not so good.. the starting media ,, has been an issue ,, here ,, fer me ,, that i am sure of

4/12/2012 7:51:32 PM

Ashland, KY

I've never tried saving seeds from pumpkins for later planting. I have read here that there are a few steps that must be followed for ensuring viability upon drying/storing. Can anyone give us a quick "how to" for collecting, drying and storing seeds?
Thanks
EP

4/12/2012 10:49:13 PM

Colorado

Andrew give me a shout after mailing the WIZ, we live close, email....
pilgerah@gmail.com

4/12/2012 11:09:36 PM

Omaha, Ne.

I over watered a lot of seeds. If this is the case, the seed would rot and if I squeezed it, it would pop like a zit.
Now when I add moisture to the seed starting mix it is almost dry.

4/12/2012 11:48:49 PM

President - GPC

and Boy them ZitZ stink too.....Pheewwweeeeee

4/13/2012 9:59:43 AM

Minnesota

Scott A.    
Commack, NY bigpmpkn@optonline.net

you can take the seeds out whenever you wish. however, the longer you wait, the greater your risk that either the pumpkin will rot, or the seeds will germinate inside the cavity. this however depends on how sound any particular pumpkin may be, and the weather and temperature after the fruit is harvested. i held one of my fruits for 3 weeks after the weighoff last year, and it was sort of on the warm side out, only one seed had germinated inside the pumpkin, and it hadn't started to rot yet. some will rot sooner though. after you take the seeds out, you can dry them however you like. some place them on old window screens. i put them on newspaper with a little desk fan blowing on them. in a few days a celophane type material will flake off the seeds. it takes about 3 weeks to dry them. then store them in a cool dark, dry place. i put mine in mason jars with a packet if silica gel to keep the moisture out. good luck,
scott

4/13/2012 10:22:02 AM

Minnesota

EP, here is a past post that I found using the site search box.

4/13/2012 10:23:58 AM

Denver, CO

Wow, it's crazy how everybody has their own technique that they have perfected...I guess there's more than one way to crack a nut...thanks for the tips

I will probably try out some different starting media and heat sources that you guys are recommending...However, since I now have failed at both starting 'em in pots of different moisture levels and using the paper towel method, I doubt that the starting medium is my ONLY problem...

Luckily WiZ is going to donate me some different seeds to work with...so I will be able to test my hypothesis that this could be a genetic/seed problem as well. Thanks WiZ!

4/13/2012 11:50:25 AM

South Hero, VT

They don't call him the WIZ for nuthin'!!!

4/13/2012 7:40:17 PM

Rapid City, SD

never not had one germ for me...........keep it simple and keep it fun

4/13/2012 9:05:40 PM

Ottawa, Ohio

Its wierd because I feel lazy but I don't do anything special to the seed and they always seem to germ.... No filing, no paper towels, not heat boxes (just a cheap mat), and maybe 1 out of 18 at the most doesn't germ. Usually they all do.

4/14/2012 12:29:30 AM

Colorado

They do easily sprout with warmth and not drowning them in wet potting soil.

4/15/2012 5:34:50 PM

Canada

My setup is simple and works pretty well, I've got a small 20 gal fish tank with lid on top and a red lizard heat lamp inside and a thermometer inside temps inside stay at 78 don't go up or down unless I open it up after sandind seeds they soak in jar for one hour then placed in damp papertowl placed in tinfoil and normally within 24 hrs seeds have sprouted!! Older seeds tend to take 48 hrs sometimes 60 hrs but normall all do germinate.

4/21/2012 12:19:35 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

I have a basic way of germinating my seeds. I use a regular grow mat with a jiffy germination chamber. I use slightly larger pete pots with regular miricle grow potting soil thats moist. So far most of my seeds have germinated with only a few exceptions. Im still waiting for 2 of them to rise. The 1789 freak and one of my seeds.

4/21/2012 3:52:28 PM

Denver, CO

Update: I think it was a genetic/seed problem. Hitting 100% when attempting with other seed stock.

4/26/2012 2:54:17 PM