From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Yukon, Canada

I harvested seed from my giant pumpkin and have them indoors. Does anyone know if they have to experience winter, ie. below freezing temerature as part of their life cycle or will they be okay to plant as they are now. Conversely, how cold is too cold? Should I leave them outside for the whole Yukon winter or just give them a bit of cold and then back indoors? Thanks for any advice.

11/20/2000 2:41:01 PM

Roanoke Il

I know of people that freeze their seeds. The seed will keep longer in the freezer. Better chance of germanation they say.

11/23/2000 8:57:28 PM

Commack, NY

you don't have to put them in the cold at all. i dont and mine come up just fine. i will say this. if you decide to freeze them, you have to make sure the seeds are thoroughly dry, or the process of freezing them will ruin them

11/24/2000 9:06:02 AM

Choctaw, OK

I heard freezing your seeds makes them age faster, and you are better off putting them in a dry cool place to store them.

Casey

11/25/2000 10:37:31 AM

Choctaw, OK

hi again,

I just opened up a small pumpkin that my mom grew(30lbs). The pumpkin was totally frozen and so where the seeds. I am wondering if the seeds are still ok? It was outside in the 4 inches of snow we have at the moment. I don't know if the seeds are ok, anyone have a clue??

Casey

11/25/2000 3:31:19 PM

CT

Maybe ! I let a 65lb Big Max rot in my garden one year and turned it under next spring. I had about 10 volunteers the next spring from that pumpkin. I was living in Ann Arbor Mich at the time, on the Border of zone 5 and 6.
It probably hit -10 at least once that winter.

11/26/2000 4:08:45 PM

Yukon, Canada

Thanks to mark, farmer scott, case, and Desnowskeer for all your thoughts and advice. I got alot of seed so I can give everything a try. Something is bound to come up green in the spring!

11/27/2000 11:39:47 AM

Commack, NY

you only want the plant to be green, not the fruit :) i apologize to all you squash lovers out there!

11/27/2000 2:02:32 PM

Long Island,New York

Tread lightly there Scott,,,,,,,,, !

11/27/2000 8:41:48 PM

Commack, NY

i was wondering if you were watching!! :)

11/28/2000 9:02:14 AM