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Massillon, Ohio

I'm using a food dehydrator - lowest setting is 95 degrees. Other posts have suggested 96 hours, and said, "They're done when the seed gives a nice snap!"
Well - after 48 hours, the seeds seem good and dry, and they are way too hard for me to break. Questions: 1) Can they possibly be done in 48 hours, or should I stick with 96? 2) Might I over-dry them, and ruin them?
Thank you - thank you!!

10/28/2006 5:54:19 PM

[email protected]

The heat would be my biggest concern.

Regrading the "snap" test. Not all seeds are equal under the "snap test". Brown seeds can be very hard to snap when dry. White seeds are easy to snap most of the time. All the rest may fall anywhere between.

For your own sanity, trial germinate a few of the well dried seeds. You'll know in 3 days if you're over doing the drying.

10/28/2006 9:13:01 PM

Indiana

I do mine in the dehydrator for about 48 hours then leve them in an open jar or container (or on the dehydrator rack) for a couple weeks just to be sure.

10/29/2006 12:22:28 AM

Follansbee, Wv

This year I am also trying the dehydrator method. I was concerned about the heat so I only ran the dehydrator for one hour at a time, with a several hour break to allow the seeds to cool. Overall, the seeds were probably exposed to the heat for 4-5 hours max. Once the skins began peeling off, I moved them into a large plastic bucket, exposed to room air, and mixed them several times a day until they no longer had that "damp" feel (it's kind of hard to describe). I haven't had a chance to germinate any yet, but should get some started today.

10/29/2006 11:40:02 AM

Long Island,New York

I think germination as a test would only indicate that they weren't toasted too much. Time is your issue...an improperly dried seed won't last as long as a properly dried one. Geez, I can't see how you can work all summer long on a plant/fruit, wait two-three weeks for the wieghoff and then you cannot wait a couple weeks for the seeds to dry...you gotta have them in three days...lol.....

10/29/2006 4:23:43 PM

Massillon, Ohio

Actually, I've got no reason to be in any hurry at all. I did a search on drying seeds - read a lot of stuff - including from people who thought their seeds were dry, only to have them mold. I took the advise of some who said using a dehydrator was an efficient way to go.

10/29/2006 4:58:47 PM

Jericho Vermont

I agree with you Glen. I use the old fashion put em on a screen drying method. If you can keep the mice away they are ready in a couple of weeks. john

10/29/2006 5:47:47 PM

Cincinnati,OH

I use a dehydrator and leave the lid off so that the heat doesn't build up. I run it about 3 days. No problems with germination. The skins will just fall off when you pick them up after they are dry enough.

10/29/2006 7:33:22 PM

[email protected]

I don't use a dehydrator either. I set them on a screen near a dehumidier for 3-4 weeks. Never have any trouble germinating them either.

10/29/2006 9:15:41 PM

Lexington, Ky

Not all dehydrators are created equal. Wattage is everything. The model I use only takes about three hours to dry 700 seeds.

10/30/2006 8:35:27 AM

Massillon, Ohio

Appreciate all the input! Thanks guys.

10/30/2006 6:15:17 PM

Indiana

"If you can keep the mice away" too true.I had a mouse steal about 200 seeds in 1 night I never found any sign of them in the garage.

10/31/2006 11:18:10 AM

Lexington, Ky

I have used pumpkin seeds in mouse traps, works great!

Those little rascals can eat cheese and peanut butter right off the trap and never trip it....but oh the effort they put into getting a seed off!

11/1/2006 9:23:03 AM