From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Minnesota([email protected])

Have any of you havested seeds from a frozen pumpkin? If so, how have they done regarding germination, etc.? I harvested seeds out of one today, and plan on harvesting from another tomorrow. The nigthtime lows have gotten down to about 10-15 degrees F lately.

11/26/2007 6:23:25 PM

western PA

I've read of growers who swear by freezing as the best way to store pumpkin seeds. If so, I can't see any harm that would have come to yours.

11/26/2007 6:28:00 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Thanks for your reply Jang. I was thinking along the same lines as you, but here's the difference.....seeds in storage have way less moisture. What I'm trying, is letting the seeds soak in water until they thaw, and then cleaning and drying them. I hope it works out. I realize that seeds from pumpkins that rot in the garden, over the winter, can germinate in the spring....so this gives me hope. Any other comments are welcome.

11/26/2007 6:52:46 PM

Mn

it's alwayws worth a try doug.

11/26/2007 7:05:34 PM

Adams County

Is freezing the best way to store seeds ? and how long will they keep ? I have seeds that i am sure were not frozzen. how long will they last if kept dry ?

11/26/2007 7:36:38 PM

[email protected]

Doug
Took seeds from my 511 last year, Frozen solid. I broke the pumpkin open with a Bobcat, Was actually quite easy getting the seeds, I washed them in warm water, dried them for 3 weeks, planted 10 and 10 germinated. In nature, they could freeze, thaw several times, and still germinate.
Eddy

11/26/2007 7:46:16 PM

Montoursville, PA

If the critters of the earth can plant them where ever they choose to scratch mother earth and they grow the following spring after many freezes and thaws.....we should be able to do better with a constant freeze. Our only problem would seem to be drying or freezer burn from lack of hydration maintenance.

11/26/2007 8:10:53 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Thanks for the replies. Eddy that first hand experience is what I was hoping for...thank you!

11/26/2007 10:41:46 PM

Napa Valley, CA

If you are going to keep seeds in a freezer I think a manual defrost freezer would be a better choice than a frost free type. A frost free freezer goes into a defrost cycle which raises the temperature and circulates air around. A manual defrost type does not do this so therefore would have less of a dehydrating effect.
Also manual defrost systems maintain a more constant zero degree temperature which is better for long term storage.

11/27/2007 2:12:56 AM

Minnesota

Were these from your tiny Orange pumpkins from this year Doug?? Way to get on it buddy, Wasn't the weighoff 2 months ago!! Just giving you crap of course but if I were you I'd only plant those seeds next year so I have a chance...

11/27/2007 5:33:03 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Some seeds, such as acorns, require a freezing period in order to germinate. This is called stratification.

Some seeds require an abrasion to the seed coat in order to germinate. Many of us use this technique, called scarification.

Pumpkin seeds don't require either of these, but neither of them will hurt the seed.

11/27/2007 6:00:47 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Joe,
I'm talking about the pumpkins I brought to Delano. A bad case of procrastination I guess! The one I cut into today was a lot more frozen. It got below zero here last night. It took alot of hammering to get into. I'm busy trying to figure out what seeds I'll need to plant next year, to have a shot at beating you again.

11/27/2007 7:42:49 PM