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Lake Elmo, Minnesota

Anyone have experience with cracked seeds and whether it affects germination. got a few seeds with a single crack along the length of the seed. crack is maybe a millimeter or two deep.

3/7/2003 11:20:41 AM

Bemidji, MN

Andy, generally it won't effect the seed to much unless crack is into the center and leaf is exposed. Steve

3/7/2003 11:36:53 AM

Chester Co., PA

I have seen seeds that came out of the pumpkin like this. They will probably germinate OK for the first couple of years, but they will not last as long in storage as a normal seed. Has anyone ever tried to seal the split with caulk or ?.

3/7/2003 11:56:14 AM

Montoursville, PA

I saw this last fall in seeds that came out of a Big Moon. My thought was that it was because I had let the pumpkin mature and begin to rot...elfore possibly triggering germinatiion. It was in the sun and hotter than shade storage. I did not keep any. The squirrels liked them while the Blue Jays sat in line to get them. Strictly guessing as to what may have caused the plump seed to crack on the side edges. Again guessing I would say ten percent of the total had evidence of side edge cracks. I may have squirrel planted direct seedlings to purge this spring.

3/7/2003 2:22:08 PM

Long Island,New York

Cracked seeds are normal....a result of seedcases drying and shrinking. They generally germinate FASTER than non-cracked seeds cause the water we soak them in can penetrate quicker. Some seeds cases seem to crack consistently....look at the 1092Burke for instance...many 1092 progeny's seeds have cracks....this would indicate it can be geneticly influenced.
There is a difference between the drying cracks seen across the flat part of the seed and the cracks along the seems of some seeds....the side seem splits MAY be seeds that started to germinate...Ive heard these may still germ, but may not also. The side seem cracks may just be due to a thinner seed coat at the sides that split when the seeds dry out, but Im leaning towards a germination start.....G

3/7/2003 5:44:17 PM

Deer Park WA

I hope your right G. I have a 1260.4 that was given to me and it has a large crack in the face of it. If I can get a seedling from it I will be crisscrossing it with her sister the 580 Weir. BTW the 1260.4 is the most precious of all my seeds as it was given to me by the grower with out asking for it. I am going to try and do the grower right with it this season!

3/7/2003 8:40:29 PM

syracuse, ny

i would have said all that LIpumpkin did...as i have had both scenarios with my own seeds---and i have quite a few of them because i've leaned away from sending the split seeds to anyone! for just that reason---the belief that a crack in anything is a sign of a tendency to fail...but LIpumpkin nailed it! thank you Glenn!

3/8/2003 12:52:28 AM