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Connecicut , No. Stonington

no mattter what i try i have never had any luck with really any germinating methods...i figured i would ask now so i would have time to experiment and find a sure fire way before spring. My house is always cold but there nothin i can do about that cuz my parents get to "control" the heat and they keep it on the cool side. Do you have any suggestions on how i can get my seeds to germinate? i have a grow light and a postable grrenhouse. (a meatal frame with 4 shelves covered in heavy duty plastic)
any information is greatly appreciated!

1/20/2004 2:16:47 PM

Connecicut , No. Stonington

thats supposed to be "PORTABLE" house..sorry!

1/20/2004 2:18:08 PM

Cincinnati,OH

Your soil temp needs to be above 75 or pumpkins won't germinate

1/20/2004 2:59:29 PM

put your seeds in plastic containers with a damp paper towel and then set the containers on a metal pan with a heating pad inside the pan with the pad on low works great in a cool house I put lids on the plastic containers but not on tight check regularly to make sure they don't dry out have had seeds sprout in 2 days good luck walleye

1/20/2004 3:03:18 PM

[email protected]

Deep Breath!

Keep the greenhouse for after seed germination.

Any flat surface is fine during germination.

Bottom heat is the key. Germination mats are sold at places like Walmart (not last week when I checked though - still tearing down Christmas), better garden centers, etc. I used a cheapo drug store heating pad last year. Some folks use the top of the computer monitor, refrigerator, cable TV converter box, anything that stays warm & doesn't shut off. Just be careful & don't burn the house down!

Pick up packages of cheap "CT Field" or "Big Max" pumpkin seeds at the store for early experiments. Save the AG's until you work out the bugs with the bottom heat. Then try the lesser quality AG seed offerings. Do you need any low grade AG seeds for experimenting? I can rustle some you way if you need them.

The soil should be just damp. Too wet & the seeds rot. Too dry & nothing happens. If you can squeeze water out of it with your hand, it's too wet. Wet it before you plant in a shallow bowl. Squeeze hard to make sure it's not too wet. Then fill the pot, make a hole with a pencil, set the seed, & lightly tamp around it. Not too hard.

Once planted, Saran Wrap will keep the moisture stable. Don't add any more water until after it's uncovered & the seedling is almosty wilting. SLOWLY remove the plastic wrap when you see the seedling emerging. A little plastic pulled back twice daily for 2 or 3 days.

Then stick it under the greenhouse light once the green "cots" are seen.

Do this repeatedly all winter. It's fun. Change what you do & observe the results until you're comfortable with a process.

Keep a simple diary so you can judge what's working & what's not.

Steve

1/20/2004 3:05:35 PM

Connecicut , No. Stonington

thank you so much. i guess the heating pad thingy is the key. i will go and pick one up as soon as i can! i also htink i was keeping to soil to wet because my seeds always rotted! thanks!

1/20/2004 4:07:50 PM

Alex, IN

Where can you get a heat mat?

Mikkal

1/20/2004 4:20:48 PM

Webster, NY

Most garden supply houses have them. Also, pumpkinnook sells them. Go to http://pumpkinnook.com/ email Bob Matthews and ask him what he sells them for, or click on shop and do some browsing.

1/20/2004 4:29:35 PM

Webster, NY

I also have some extra seeds hanging around waiting for someone to experiment on them. If you need some, let me know.

1/20/2004 4:32:17 PM

White Plains, NY

On top of your computer but it must be left on.

Put your seeds (pre-soaked or not)in a paper towel and fold over once. Wet the towel (not soaked) and put in a zip lock baggie. One to one and half days later you should see tails as your seeds come to life.

1/20/2004 4:33:34 PM

Indiana

Try wormsway.com or a gardenshop for the heat mat. You can start them on top of the water heater, An old waterbed heater is also another option. One more I have used is a lightbulb in an aquarium with a lid to hold the heat in.
Steve

1/20/2004 4:34:36 PM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Good advise Capt, instead of putting them on top of your computer, put them in a small cooler and add a full sealed bottle of hot tap water to the cooler every 8 hours. This will keep them warm and they will sprout in a couple days.

1/20/2004 5:04:58 PM

Western Pa.

I've had much success placing the seeds in damp paper towels in an open baggy, on top of the refrigerator.

1/20/2004 7:12:03 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

I have had success also with the fridge. Only using a baggie and a damp paper towel folded over. Other sorces of heat that I have used, include...Top of computer, TV, satalite/cable box. I have had over 95% germination this way.

1/20/2004 8:45:18 PM

Mastic Beach, New York

i use a cooler with hot jugs of water(i heat up the water on the stove,then pour into the jug...i soak the seed in a cup of warm water for few hours....then place the seed in a damp paper napkin...then wait...reheat the water every 8-12 hours.. as soon as you see the seed coat split with a little root place in your peat pot ,put back in the cooler for another day..so

1/20/2004 11:30:08 PM

Wood River, Nebraska

I also use the cooler and gallon milk jugs of hot water. Straight hot tap water keep my cooler at 85 degrees or better. I refill the jug twice a day.

1/22/2004 8:21:44 AM

Montoursville, PA

I use a cooler with a human yard sale purchased heating pad on low heat under the cooler. Inside temperature is 80 - 82 degrees. Excellent cheap set up. You can see it and comments in my diary. Works good for me.

1/22/2004 11:56:53 AM