From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Deer Park WA

Well, so far this season we have had about a 90% success rate with germination. The 1384.5 Jutras failed to germinate (*%&#@$$). Hows everyone elses germination success?

Gerry

5/6/2008 10:59:46 AM

Minnesota

I lost 3, 2 did'nt germinate after 2 weeks, 1 sprouted a inch or so and died. I thought the paper towel method was fool proof. I went back to doing it the old fashioned way, lightly sanded, soaked for 5 hours, now under light, 2nd day. Now I have to hold back from peaking.

5/6/2008 11:23:17 AM

Jefferson, Ohio

I've had problems for the first time in several years. My 904 stelts is not gonna make it. I had almost gave up on a 1462 Gibson. On day 8 (yesterday) I dug down and found the unopened shell . I was suprised to find that it had rooted . I forced(cut) off the the seed jacket and this a.m. the cots seem alive! So, 5 out of 6, not to bad. jim

5/6/2008 11:33:13 AM

Pinedale, WY

I am 4 for 6. I couldn't get the 500 Northrup or the 1402 Bosworth to go.

5/6/2008 12:42:09 PM

Murfreesboro, TN, USA

I am 5 for 5, but I just put them in a pot with potting soil, watered, then waited. Maybe I was just lucky.

5/6/2008 12:56:31 PM

No Place Special

100% here this year and I think all the back ups / spares came up also but one was junk. 1566 Rodonis, 998 Pukos, 1155 Frantz and 1207 Young are in the patch.

I file the seed edges, soak them in reg tap water (nothing fancy here) for 3-4 hrs and then put them 1" below the soil in their pots and the pots go into an old aquarium which has a seed germination mat inside. I have a light bulb next to the tank that i turn on to add warmth and I can vent the lid to cool. I try to keep it betwen 80-90*.

I used to have troubles germinating seeds in the past but I learned something from Don Young a couple yrs ago. I think my main germination problem was to wet of soil in the pots. Don gets his soil nice and wet in a bowel or bucket and then he grabs a handful of soil and squeezes it like a sponge and drains all the water out of it he can, and then puts it in his pots. I havent had a problem since!

5/6/2008 1:18:15 PM

Berlin, Ma

I did the same thing here. Soak the starter mix then squeeze out the water with your hand. I heated the soil with a mat to 87 degrees and lightly watered when needed. I was 15 for 15 in 4 day's. My 1566 Rodonis was the 1st up in 48 hrs. I also lightly sanded the edges, soaked for 1/2 hr each side and pre heated the soil fot 2 day's.

5/6/2008 1:24:33 PM

Western NY

only 1 for 4 with the 865 Mettlers this year. thank goodness all the other important ones germinated. well, except for the 1121 Koch seeds, those were substituted with the 1173 Koch which isn't a big deal.

5/6/2008 1:46:28 PM

Wi

I agree 100000% with Mike. If you can squeeze ANY water out it's toooooo wet!

5/6/2008 2:19:03 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Im moving over to the paper towel method in the germination chamber until the lil seed cracks and shows a root. No more wondering if its active or not. 3 for 3 on the 935 Lloyd X 887 Orr - ArmStrong 407 00 doing it this way. It only makes sense to me.

5/6/2008 2:42:38 PM

ordinary,VA

I lost the 1556 Werner & 1207 Young...............ahhhhh

5/6/2008 2:48:26 PM

Annapolis Valley Nova Scotia

Got to agree with The Wiz, at least with the paper towel method you can see what is happening! If you are impatient like me that helps a lot!

5/6/2008 3:12:14 PM

No Place Special

one more note, mine are pushing the soil in 3-4 days just like clockwork. I think I would like the paper towel method as you would be able to "see" whats going on. I have never tried this. I always figured i would somehow damage the root, planting it after it was already developed? Those who do this dont have any problems or concerns with damaging or cracking the root?

5/6/2008 3:27:13 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Mike,
I think root damage is a possibility with the pre-sprouting method. I've done it for a few years now, and haven't damaged a root to my knowledge. I try and get the seed planted when the root is about 1/2" long. I think longer roots would be more tricky to plant. One thing I like about this method, is I can see if I have a club root. Two of my seeds this year had club roots. I started a backup of one of my seeds, because of the club root situation....I do plan on planting the one with a club root, but am happy to have a backup seedling of the same genetics, in case it doesn't perform well.
Maybe in the offseason, you can practice the pre-sprout method, and seed what you think.

5/6/2008 3:39:07 PM

Netherlands

792 Olsen* and 633 Blalock* didn't germinate. Other 9 plants were fine.

5/6/2008 4:18:02 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

Well day 6 and no germnation to announce. I prob have the worst record for the growers.

5/6/2008 6:02:06 PM

Dummer Twp - Ontario

847 Hunt did not make it

5/6/2008 8:08:14 PM

Webster, NY

All germinated, my 805 and 735 pukos and 4 backups. I'll grow two of the backups along with my main plants and give two away to a friend who wants to try growing.

5/6/2008 8:36:25 PM

Applegate, Oregon

16 for 16, 12 first choice and 4 back-ups! First year ever!

5/6/2008 10:53:51 PM

[email protected]

I am pleased to report there were no dud seeds again this year. But we did manage to snap the stem on a 1042 McKenzie....grrrrr.

5/6/2008 11:27:52 PM

[email protected]

Oh...accept for our own 853 Jepsen/Luce. 5 for 5 all bad.

5/6/2008 11:30:49 PM

Greene County, Pa.

8 for 8. 100% this year.

5/7/2008 5:51:11 AM

ExtremeVegetables.com

3 out of 4 so far.
Having a little trouble with the 1402 Bosworth but still working on it.

5/7/2008 6:14:43 AM

Berlin,mi.([email protected])

The 1370 Rose is the only one I didn't get to pop out of around 30 seeds. :-(

5/7/2008 7:27:07 AM

Honesdale, Pennsylvania

I had pretty good luck this year. I put a heating pad in the bottom of a cooler with the plants in a tray on top. I put them in cups with tops covered in plastic. It worked great and now I have an extra heating pad to use from all of this pumpkin work. Over the years though I have failed to germinate an all star lineup including a 1230 Daletas, 2 1370 Roses' and a 723 Bobier, ouch!

5/7/2008 8:27:24 AM

Santa Rosa, CA.

7 out of 8. The 1041 McKie did not want to play. It was replaced with a 985 Werner.

5/7/2008 8:38:52 AM

San Jose [email protected]

4 for 4 here, all in the ground with 3 true leafs, only 3 plants will be grown one will get the AXE in a few weeks

5/7/2008 9:38:51 AM

Annapolis Valley Nova Scotia

Ned I have done the same with the 1230!

5/7/2008 9:41:19 AM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

My 616 Corkum didn't start, but its 10 years old. I broke one of my 1066 trying to "help" it out (no patience) too. Other than that, all seeds I left alone, germinated.

5/7/2008 12:01:38 PM

Cheyenne, Wyoming

My 1041 McKie opend the shell, then stuck out a club root and quit growing. What a letdown.

5/7/2008 12:52:18 PM

Jericho Vermont

I have used the paper towel method for last 5-6 years and have had very good success. I am not so sure though if this is the best method for a known stubborn seed. Some seeds are just harder to germ than others and I would have to put our 588 Young in that category, it can be downright stubborn. I also feel you need to do more agressive sanding with the thicker seeds and most growers don't remove enough.
John

5/7/2008 1:01:38 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

8 for 8 germinated for me. Two club roots. Used paper towel method.

5/7/2008 1:31:06 PM

Central Ca

16 for 27...I have a lot of space

5/7/2008 4:37:01 PM

Statesville, Nc

3 out of 4 for me... I stuck a seed in the ground 2 weeks ago... went and checked on it today and she has broken through the soil with a very thick root... Also have 2 growing indoors.

5/7/2008 11:25:39 PM