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Farmington, Utah

Just want to know how others do it. I'll dry mine and others I get this year until around the 1st to the middle of January. Then I put them in tightly sealed mason jars with some dessecant in it and put them in the freezer for at least 2 weeks. I do the freezer thing cause it was suggested to me from another grower. I've done this with my 99 and 00 seeds and have gotten 100% germination results. IS IT NECCESSARY TO FREEZE THEM???..... one more thing, I started 3 seeds of each out of my pumpkins I grew in 99,00 and 2001. I got 100% germination on the 99 and 00 seeds, I only got 1 of 3 of ea. from the two pumpkins I grew in 01 to germinate. Is this because they are to recent and need more drying time, or need just more time in general?
Kenny

12/6/2001 11:24:14 AM

Webster, NY

I dried them for about a month, stored them in the garage over the winter, cold and dry and sometimes freezing. All of these seeds which I've tried to germinate have germinated. so the seeds did go through a period of freezing.

12/6/2001 2:21:37 PM

Cincinnati,OH

I put some seeds through a dehydrator and planted them about 6 weeks later they were stored inside, never cold well they are coming up after about 4 days so I guess in general pumpkin seeds aren't too picky.

12/6/2001 5:35:50 PM

Riverton, WY

There was some talk about this on the Mallorn list last winter. I think the main reason for the freezer on pumpkin seeds is to increase the storage life. The seeds need to be
dry & in a sealed container in the fridge or freezer for increased shelf life. I've always had good luck storing seeds in a sealed container in the fridge, but this is my first year of storing them in the freezer....Outcome still pending.

12/6/2001 7:20:13 PM

Rexburg, Idaho

I've been storing mine in an airtight container in the freezer. It makes for a constant tempurature that is out of the way and unlikely to be bothered all year long. The freezing is not needed I doubt that it does anything for germination. I've thought about vacuum packing them in a mason jar. If frozen they should be brought to room temp before they are opened or they will probably have condensation on them.

12/6/2001 7:36:50 PM

Midway City, California

I have seen Peach Pits/seeds put in the freezer so that it will not rot. The reason was that the tree goes through a dormant time during the winter. When the seed is planted in the spring it is placed in the still frozen ground. The seed and ground will thaw and the seed will germinate.

Question? will the frozen pumpkin seeds go through the same proccess or will they be started in warm indoor pots.

Water

12/6/2001 7:38:29 PM

Farmington, Utah

Warm indoor paper towels

12/6/2001 9:39:28 PM

Midway City, California

I would suggest that the seeds are treated the same way your wife treated the frozen turkey. Remove the seeds from the freezer and place them at the bottom of the refrigator until they thaw out completly. Then take them out of the frig and place them where the can return to room temperature before doing anything too them. Just my two cents

12/8/2001 6:14:49 PM