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Applegate, Oregon

Well, I just wanted to mention that I am working on my germination technique over the winter as this was a trouble spot for me this season. I am trying a few different methods, and going to track which gives me the most success. Then, I am going to practice the method several more times to make sure I got it. Overkill? Gives me something to do, and I have plenty of seeds from smaller pumpkins as well as my own large ones to practice with.

Trial number one is complete with 7 out of 10, and two of those with some mold. I filed, soaked in warm water for 1hr then planted in dry starting mix prewarmed and kept at 88 degrees with heat mat.

Trial number two begins this weekend. Comments, suggestions?

11/14/2003 12:55:11 AM

Sydney, Australia

Dale,
Try 50/50 hydrogen peroxide and filtered water, 6 hour soak after filing the seeds. Then moist potting mix at 90F. I've had about 19 out of 20 suceess rate.

I also started 25 seeds no filing, overnight soak in tap water and got 23 out of 25.

Good luck
Ben

11/14/2003 3:34:25 AM

Indiana

what does the peroxide do for the seed??
Steve

11/14/2003 8:17:08 AM

Md/ Usa

moon dog it sterilizes any pathogens that may be on seed surface.

11/14/2003 9:27:27 AM

Myrtle Creek, Oregon

Go to;
http://www.hydromall.com/happy_grower19.html
Has some good info on hydrogen peroxide.
H-K-J <;-)

11/16/2003 12:28:23 PM

Phoenix Az

50/50 peroxide to water. soak 2 hours then plant in peat pellet. Thats what i do.

11/16/2003 4:23:43 PM

Deer Park WA

Hi Dale,

Try deep freezing a few of them for a few weeks and then germinating them, this will simulate the actual dormancy cycle of the seed and my give you some insite to their natural tendencies. I am still working on drying mine out.

Gerry

11/16/2003 11:24:45 PM

Applegate, Oregon

Gerry,

Thanks. I have got some into the freezer for that very thing. Surprised no one else mentioned it. Dale

11/17/2003 1:18:12 AM

Applegate, Oregon

OK, Trial Number two complete with 20 out of 20 coming up between three and five days. Tested 10 from my 870 and 10 from my 805, with 9 of 10 870's up at day three. No mold or rot. Used Boily's method:
1. Filed all seeds
2. Soaked for 6 hours in a solution of 1 cup water / 1 cup hydrogen peroxide which was kept in my incubation chamber (a home made styrofoam box) with the soil all warmed to 90 degrees
3. Placed seeds in prewarmed soil
4. Kept at 90 degrees with heat mat/thermostat and probe.
5. Had a compact floresent bulb illuminate the chamber.

Viola! Yee Haw, maybe, just maybe I will avoid my troubles of 2003! Yee Haw!!

11/21/2003 12:20:12 AM

Montoursville, PA

Big mistake I made early on last year in practice was to have the potting soil to wet. If in doubt keep it just barely damp to the touch.

You can set the unplanted planting pot in the germination box a day before planting. This will warm the pot to inside the box temperature and give you moisture a chance to work evenly throughout the potting soil.

1/21/2004 11:15:39 PM