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Picton,ON ([email protected])

I harvested the seed out of my 721.5 the other day. They were very small, about half the size of the ones out of my 400 lbers. The crosses were totally isolated. Does size matter? The 721.5 is a (f) 1458 Whittier X (m)1172 Greer. The 1458 was a large seed. Im not sure about the seed size of the 1172 as I recieved the plant already started.
As well how long does the seed normally take to dry? I have some thats been drying for 3 weeks. I don't want it to dry out too much.

11/17/2004 12:24:12 PM

I put my seeds in a strainer, put a fan on its back so that it blew up into the seed strainer and they were dry as a bone within a day. That worked very good.

11/17/2004 1:39:45 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Kyle, I did the same, be aware that mine were still moist inside and only realized it when a few started to mold, had to spread them out and let em dry a bit longer.
I would split one to make sure.
Tom

11/17/2004 2:24:10 PM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

Using any method, no seed will be dry in just one day.

In a warm place (80°F) with a fan blowing on them they should be dry in about two weeks. However I always give mine an additional week to dry just to be sure...

Seed-size has no influence at all.
However, if I have a few seeds from the same pumpkin I would choose the biggest one for planting.

Martin

11/17/2004 3:15:43 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

i use those cheap clamp on light reflectors with 100 watt bulbs.

Glenn

11/17/2004 4:17:55 PM

Ohio

I use a food dehydrater on low 80 to 90 degrees, Mines dry in 3 days.

11/17/2004 6:44:30 PM

Napa Valley, CA

I dry my seeds on a screen at an ambient room temperature of 65 to 72 degrees for three weeks. I use a fan the first two days. I have used this method for years and have never had a mold problem and get 95% or better germination on seeds dried this way.

I agree with Martin.....seed size had no influnce at all and also choose the plumpest one of the bunch for planting.
George

11/17/2004 11:11:57 PM

Colorado Hail, CO. Elev. 5,900 FT

The size of your offspring from your Whittier are getting some genetic influence from one of its great grandparents, I would think. Either it is getting an older Mombert parental trait {likely, but those are usually fat & wide seeds} or somewhere in the Zehr genetics....

11/19/2004 10:46:13 AM

Colorado Hail, CO. Elev. 5,900 FT

That isn't a bad thing ...BTW... nor does it mean they would grow small fruit.

11/19/2004 10:47:38 AM

New England

Ask Dr. Ruth....size don't matter.

11/19/2004 10:55:42 AM