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Sydney, Australia

Recently I read the advance seed start method in the how to section on the BP site. Although my planting time is November in Australia, I'd like to get it right in practice well before. That way when the time comes I can get my recently acquired good seeds to germinate successfully. 2 days ago I peeled the shells from 3 of my own seeds and put them between layers of wet paper towel, in a snap lock plastic bag on a grow mat at 88F. NO ACTION! Just a smell that suggests they may be going rotten. Maybe it is the bag they are in? It is totally sealed and expanded. Or maybe the paper towel they are between is too wet? Any advice on this matter would be appreciated......Thanks Ben

4/30/2002 5:04:14 AM

Webster, NY

I just did the same thing with an 1107 Girgus. After about 26 hours I see root formation and will probably be able to plant it tonight. I don't know what could have happened. I found that if I place my baggies directly on my propagation mat, it is too hot and I don't get any germination. I place a folded towel between the propagation mat and the baggies. That seems to be the only difference I see in what you do and what I do. If you have a lot of spare seeds, try it again.

Dave

4/30/2002 7:47:46 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

If your planting in november...Are these seeds from this years crop?... I don't know but it seems to me that they should be dried out first not fresh out of a pumpkin..
chuck

4/30/2002 8:15:26 AM

Deer Park, WI

Here is how I have had the most sucess- I place a napkin inside a small ziploc. I then use a spoon to add water to the bag. After the napkin appears totally wet, I turn the bag upside down and allow any extra water to drip out. Then I take the naked seeds and place them on top of the napkin. I seal the bag, but first make sure that I let some air in. Do not seal it airtight, as I believe that some O2 may be necessary. Placing the bag directly on a prop mat may be too much heat. I have had a few reports of unsuccessful Germ when too much heat was applied. The rotting smell you speak of may also be the cause of your problem. Take your fingers and try to gently squeeze the seed. If it mushes, its a goner. Healthy seeds are solid and will not mush.

4/30/2002 8:40:40 AM

Edmonton, Canada

Boily, you have to be veeeerrrry carefull when peeling the shell. Any damage to the seed insige could effect whether or not it will grow properly, or at all. If the seed was undamaged, then your guess is as god as mine. I do pretty much exactly what Jose described above, and it has worked every time.

4/30/2002 10:26:25 AM

Sydney, Australia

Thanks for the advice everyone. The seeds are from my 205 harvested and dried in February and I have plenty of them. I will open the bag a little and see if that will help. I'll keep experimenting and see what happens. Will keep you posted. Ben

4/30/2002 5:24:06 PM

bloomington IN.

get off that heating mat and go to the top of the microwave or tv or something until it germinates.

5/1/2002 12:38:20 AM

Sydney, Australia

All 3 seeds went rotten! Will try again with new ideas given. Ben

5/2/2002 4:32:12 AM