From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Colorado Springs.Co

Does anyone know if you keep an aborted pumpkin plugged in if the seeds will continue to mature? I did my first ever cross and I like the potential, but the thing gave up on me at only 36 circumference.

8/30/2010 8:40:05 PM

New York

The seeds will only mature if the fruit is alive and healthy. Generally, the pumpkin needs to be 40 days old before the seeds are mature, although that varies.

8/30/2010 8:51:59 PM

British Columbia, Canada

Impossible, once the pumpkin aborts it'll begin to rot very soon, and the seeds will go down with it.
It'll most likely begin showings of signs of rot in about three days, plus 36CC sounds like it's only 15-20 days old. So it was 50 days away from having mature seeds...

Sorry to here it go down!

8/30/2010 8:58:22 PM

New York

Seeds take 70 days to mature? I think not...

8/30/2010 9:15:24 PM

British Columbia, Canada

Gaaah, on average they take 65 days to mature....Sometimes less, sometimes more...

8/30/2010 9:22:10 PM

The bottom of New Jersey

I just harvested some mature seeds from a pumpkin that stopped at day 45. There were a lot of immature ones too, but I got at least 100 that are fully mature.

8/30/2010 9:30:39 PM

Colorado Springs.Co

Thanks for giving me at least a glimmer of hope pumpkinjesus, I need to check my soil in the fall. The pumpkin was a slow grower and I know it wasn't the genetics. It made it to about day 28, I was just wondering if it can hang in there on the vine for a while if the seeds still mature even though the pumpkin stopped. What I'm seeing here doesn't look hopeful though. I guess I won't be planting my own seed next year. That sucks.

8/30/2010 9:59:36 PM

South Finland [email protected]

Shaker,

I hope Bart see this thread. He has got viable seeds with little trick pumpkins just over 20+ days. Was something like remove seedshell, use papertowel method and when root is coming put on pot so that cots are above soil, only root in soil.

8/30/2010 11:40:13 PM

Colorado Springs.Co

Thanks Miika, I'll just have to cut her open when I see it starting to rot and see what I have. I'll remember that method next spring. I cut the shell off this seed I was getting so pissed with failed germinations. I was trying to grow older seeds that probably weren't stored in ideal conditions. If I can't grow my own cross I'll grow someone elses again. I'll live.

8/31/2010 3:58:47 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

I wouldn't wait until she starts to rot shaker. I let that happen last year with one and wound up with zero seeds because the inside had rotted before it showed much on the outside.

8/31/2010 5:22:02 AM

The bottom of New Jersey

Here's something to think about too. I would bet $100 that your date of pollination has an impact on how quickly your seeds mature. I've seen this on other vegetables, so I bet it's true for pumpkins too. If your pumpkin is from a late pollination, the plant will sense that the season is coming to an end soon (from the shortening days) and it will make sure those seeds mature quicker than if the pollination was done in late June/early July.

8/31/2010 9:25:03 AM

British Columbia, Canada

Though remember, it might not have aborted. Sometimes they appear to stop, but they are still growing very very slowly.

My 330 from last year stalled at day 20 when it was 180lbs. I let it grow at a very slow rate until I picked it at day 70. And guess what, inside it had 710 big fat plump seeds. Eh, so maybe it put all its' energy to the seeds. :D

-Jordan.

8/31/2010 12:50:38 PM

Wallingford,CT

Miika has a good memory and the details in a nutshell. The main issue with very young seeds is the fact that they have not had enough time to store energy to get out of the shell or push dirt out of the way. If you do those things for them they will grow. Once they get full size leaves you can't tell the difference from full term seedlings. to followup on Miika's post, once you have the root and put it in the soil then cover the container with clear plastic to control moisture and keep it under a strong light for about 17 hours a day until it begins true leaves. I put them under a desk lamp, on when i get up and off when I go to bed

8/31/2010 9:01:29 PM

Colorado Springs.Co

Thanks for the entries fellas, PJ it was a late pollination, GPD I will keep an eye on rot situation, JA. It's a goner there is no doubt in my mind, Bart I will cut her open soon and see what I have and try your method next year if they look at all viable. I love the encouragement.

8/31/2010 11:56:00 PM

Wallingford,CT

i have cut them open only to find the cots are only half full , maybe less BUT it grew a plant!

9/1/2010 7:33:01 PM

Colorado Springs.Co

I cut her open tomorrow, any longer and rot(will) be an issue.It will be day 31. Thanks so much for the replies.

9/2/2010 12:00:39 AM