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Lake Stevens, WA, USA

Has anyone attempted to use a food dehydrator to dry their seeds............respectfully.............I don't want "opinions"..........I want to hear from growers who have actually done it, and then successfully grown the seeds. I am thinking of using mine to do this, but dehydrators (at least mine) seem to put off a good amount of heat. I don't want to cook them dry, as they will be no good.

10/24/2001 2:03:30 PM

Connecticut

I did it, but the test came out like roasted pumpkin seeds and were quite tasty.

10/24/2001 4:49:07 PM

Utah

dehydrators can vary ... so just because it worked for them doesn't mean it will or won't for you. you'd think they would all be near the same... but I wouldn't count on it.
If i were you i'd try a dozen or so seeds and seed if they germinate.
good luck !
gordon

10/24/2001 6:29:25 PM

Deer Park WA

g1t, Way ahead of ya. I've just put 24 "dehydrated" seeds in my germination chamber. I let mine air dry for 5 days before drying them in the dehydrator. I may have screwed up though as I forgot to unplug it for 8 hours, and they do get quite hot. Still I believe if you turn them often, and turn the dehydrator on and off every 10 min or so, that this technique will help eliminate molding and speed curing. I should know if I cooked em in a couple more days.

10/24/2001 9:49:12 PM

Western Pa.

I'll stick to drying them on wax paper on top of the refrigerator! (It's warm up there!) Just don't make the mistake I did last year of "stacking them" or moisture will be trapped and mold takes over! Let them dry for a good 3 weeks this way, or you'll be sorry! I know my dehydrator puts out way too much heat!( Want big pumpkins, not a snack!)

kilr

10/24/2001 10:22:10 PM

Greencastle, PA

lol

10/25/2001 5:03:57 PM

Riverton, WY

My food dehydrator has worked well for me for several years giving me nearly 100 % germination. I live in a low humidity climate & my dehydrator has a lowest setting of 85 deg. From a pumpkin in good shape, (no mold etc.)I don't even rinse the slime off. The moist seeds go immediatly from the pumpkin into the dehydrator. The dry air, even if its warm, keeps the seeds cool through evaporation. As soon as the seeds don't stick together & are not damp to the touch, (usually overnight here)I shut the dehydrator off & open door to let air circulate. That evening, the seeds will feel damp, so the dehydrator gets turned on again for a few hours. When the slime is dry, it will separate from the seed in a thin transparent membrane. When that happens, I figure they are dry. I don't know how this would work in a humid climate, but I think the key is getting most of the moisture off of the seed as quickly as possible, & then let them slowly air dry for a few weeks. I would think a fan blowing across the seeds spread out on paper or a screen would initially get most of the moisture off the surface. Then they could slowly finish air drying on top the fridge.

10/25/2001 10:20:32 PM