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Missoula, Montana

I finally was able to get some of last years seeds to germinate, though the method used to germinate in the past did not work for these seeds. In the past I had soaked and filed the seeds and then placed them on a moist paper towel in a ziploc bag that was placed on a heating mat. In the past this worked fine and also worked this year on my seeds from my 2003 pumkin but not for the 2005 seeds. To get them to germinate I used the above method but palced the seeds BETWEEN the moist paper towels instead of on top of them. I was also able to get some to germinate by soaking and placing them directly in potting mix as well. I think that the problem I had and others may be experiencing was lack of moisture in the bag. Every time I examined the seeds there was always a large amount of condensation on the inside of the bag making me assume that the moist paper towel was just that...moist. Well, that was wrong. Even though there looks to be abundant moisture in the bag and in the paper towel, the majority of the moisture moved from the paper towel to inside surface of the plastic bag and was not in contact with the seed. I check the zip lock bags daily and there is always abundant moisture on the inside of the plastic but the paper towel was getting drier and drier each day. This is were I think that putting the seeds between the paper towel helped. This is also why direct palnting worked as well, constant contact with a moist medium. Just a thought.....

4/24/2006 2:31:14 PM

Missoula, Montana

One more thing....the seeds that germinated w/o problem were white. The ones that apparently needed more moisture were brown. The brown ones appeared to have a thicker seeds coat that took longer for mositure to penetrate?

4/24/2006 2:36:01 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

Put an additional paper plate on top of the seeds between the paper towels. It helps keep the moisture where it should be, in the paper towels.

4/25/2006 6:44:00 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

White seeds lack that additional seed coating so, yes, they tend to germinate faster in my experience.

4/25/2006 6:45:20 AM