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Winston Salem NC

I have cut my field pumpkins off the vines and had a few that had worm holes in them so I took some of the seeds out to try different germination methods. I have washed and have started the drying process on newspaper. Has anyone tried to use a Food Dehydrater like you use to make beef jerky? Dont know why I thought of it. What you think?

9/17/2008 8:02:31 PM

Georgetown, Ontario

I think it work good as long as you don't use a heat setting or you'll cook them. My wife didn't like the idea of using the clothes dryer on the fluff setting so this might be better.

9/17/2008 8:10:22 PM

Springfield, VT

I have used a dehydrator the last few years. The key is to keep the heat set as low as possible. Run it closed for the first couple of days to bulk dry them and open it to finish dry to further keep temps down.

9/18/2008 11:58:44 AM

Picton,ON ([email protected])

I have a Nesco American Harvest food dehydrator I have been using for the last two seasons. I set the thing on the lowest setting which I believe is 95F. It will dry the seeds in 36-48 hours. I have had them dry in less than 24 if the seeds were small. Larger ones take longer. After the 'skins' start to flake off easily I usually leave them another 8-10 hrs. I always do a germination test after letting them rest for a couple weeks. So far germination has been great with no adverse effects. I have likely dried seeds from 10 or so pumpkins with it now. I have had folks tell me that it sometimes takes longer than what I have experienced, but I think its just differences in dehydrators. You will have to experiment with your to see how long. If they are over dried it will effect germination and if they are under dried, they may mold.

John

9/18/2008 1:31:20 PM

Bristol,RI,USA.

Take a screen off the window wash seeds in dish soup and bleech spread on screen, place screen between two chairs put small fan under it blowing up though it, turn seeds every other day

9/19/2008 10:39:28 AM