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CT

Hi,

We have just filed our first pumpkin seed for practice. We soaked for 2 hours in warm water and put it on a wet paper towel in a sealed plastic bag. It is now on top of a computer monitor and our question is: If this seed is a good one (which we hope it is), how long before we will see it sprout?

Thanks - RVSK

3/29/2001 1:35:16 PM

canal winchester ohio

did the same thing last week out of boredom. it germinated in 36 hours. Paul

3/29/2001 2:01:01 PM

Herndon, VA

I had less luck; after 3 days I had quite a nice mold colony! Nothing germinated from what I could tell.

Bruiser

3/29/2001 10:42:10 PM

Rush, NY

Last year after soaking and putting them in a washcloth inside a plastic bag, I put them between 2 dinner plates. Between the dinner plates I had determined the temp was 88 degrees. I put them there about 9 am. At 6 am the next morning most had sprouted. They were planted in my cold frame by 7 am. 11 out of 12 emerged in 3 to 4 days and were transplanted to field positions on the 5th day. Some roots were already out 4 inches.

3/30/2001 5:49:36 AM

CT

Hi all,

Thanks so much for the answers and input. If you get a chance, check out our diary in the next day or so. We will be posting our update there. Bruiser -- Sorry to hear your seeds didn't germinate. Maybe someone more knowlegeable than us can get you on the right track. Better luck next time.

RVSK

3/30/2001 9:49:24 AM

Connecticut, USA

Once again the Riverview School Kids set the bar for diary entries!

Great job guys!

John

3/30/2001 6:25:35 PM

Connecticut, USA

RVSK,

What seeds do you plan on planting?

3/30/2001 6:26:28 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

ditto's on an outstanding job by the rvsk. pics are excellent! little doubt here that the pumpkin project will receive an A+ this year. keep up the great work.

3/30/2001 8:33:05 PM

Buffalo, Minnesota

Hi all, iw as just wondering, when you pre soak the seeds how long should you soak them for, i believe that it would be alright to soak them a ful 24 hours, i usually soak them about 4 hours, what yah think all?

3/31/2001 12:30:45 AM

Rush, NY

It may not harm seeds that are soaked for 24 hours, but it isn't necessary. For years I have been soaking them in LUKEWARM water for 25 to 30 minutes. Then they are wrapped in a damp wash cloth, placed in a plastic bag, and put where the temp will be over 80 degrees. Last year I put them where it was 88 degrees and 21 hours later most had sprouted. Read my entry on 3/30/01 above.

3/31/2001 5:57:48 AM

Herndon, VA

Great job, Riverview School Kids!!

I am starting to suspect my problems were due to bad seed stock. I'll give it another try with some better seeds. I can't wait to see how your plants progress!!

Bruiser

4/1/2001 10:13:46 PM

Ann Arbor, Mi

I would caution you NOT to go warmer than 95 degrees, unless you are roasting them to eat.

4/2/2001 7:32:38 PM

CT

John,

In answer to your question, the Riverview School Kids have the following seeds to try this year: Pistono 478 [478 Checkon 815 x Snow 642], Pistono 841 [Snow 642 x Checkon 815], Calai 869.5 [801 Stelts x 846 Calai], Kilbert 481.5 [Stellpflug 1056.5 x Larue 915], Kilbert 478 [Burke 1092 x Calai 846] -- What do you think??

4/3/2001 1:40:56 PM

CT

Oh!! And perish the thought I should forget -- We also have one Stelts 1140 [ Stelts 705 x Gringle 435] :-)

4/3/2001 1:42:35 PM

Connecticut, USA

Looks like some great seed stock!

I can't wait to see you triple what you had last year...

4/3/2001 3:38:40 PM

Roanoke Il

Riverside kids best of luck this year. mark

4/3/2001 7:46:38 PM

Roanoke Il

sorry riverveiw school kids best of luck

4/3/2001 7:48:37 PM

Buffalo, Minnesota

Hey riverview school kids, sounds like allot of good seeds you got their, but i was just wondering where the heck did you enquire a 1140 stelts seeds from? ~Bill

4/3/2001 11:35:39 PM

CT

Hi -- We are glad to hear that you guys think we have some great seeds to start the year with. We followed the progress last year of Mark's big pumpkin "Beauty". He was kind enough to donate some seeds to us from Beauty, as well as from another big pumpkin he grew, just for the asking. Also, Mr. Kilr Pumpkins sent the rest of our seeds, including the Stelts 1140, just because he wanted to help us out. So if you all don't already know, your kindness and generosity have not gone unnoticed. Thank you very much!! RVSK

4/4/2001 1:48:07 PM

Buffalo, Minnesota

river view school kids, you need any more seeds, i got a 350.lbs seeds and a 236 that im really interested in seeing what it produces if you want the seeds?

4/5/2001 1:40:38 AM