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Lodi, California

I'm practicing seed germing and I posted a question in the seed starting section but I don't think many people look in the seed starting section this time of year so if you could please refer to this link;

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/msgboard/ViewThread.asp?b=9&p=494823

Thank you

12/8/2013 10:41:17 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Why did you not simply write your question....

12/8/2013 11:27:38 AM

Lodi, California

Here's the question:

I'm germing some of my seeds as practice right now,,,,, they have mold on them, as I accidently layered the seeds on newspaper several seeds thick, which caused mold, and needless to say, i'm lucky that I salvaged most of the seeds. The only problem now is, If I put the seeds in a towel to germ, but I dont use peroxcide (I forgot to use it the first batch) the mold starts to regrow on the seeds. will peroxcide keep this from happening? Thanks!

Thank you

12/8/2013 11:54:01 AM

Rhode Island

ashton
for the future id suggest after cleaning and bleaching off place the fresh seeds on a piece of old window screen,etc, then after spreading them out run a fan over them for three days (or more) until good and dry.

seeing you are only practicing you could go back and soak a few in a bleach solution ,re-dry correctly and then practice germinating. ya got all winter.

personally? id throw them out and get some uninteresting,well dried seeds to practice with.
pap

12/8/2013 12:34:29 PM

Lodi, California

Pap,

The problem is, I would like to grow a couple of them in 2014.

Ashton

12/8/2013 3:31:41 PM

Springfield, Missouri

Hey Ashton,

This is the protocol that I use in lab. You will need a mason jar, dawn dish soap, bleach, paper towels, and a plastic bag.

Fill the mason jar 3/4 full with water and add one or two drops of dish soap. Add your seeds and soak them for 30 minutes or so. The dish soap is a surfactant and will dislodge any mold spores or bacteria on the seeds. (Make sure you gently shake the seeds in the jar)

While the seeds are soaking in the dish soap prepare a 10% bleach solution. You will soak the seeds in the 10% bleach solution for 10 minutes. The chlorine in the bleach shouldn't damage the seeds so long as you don't over soak them. This will kill the remaining mold and or bacteria on the seed coat.

Put the seeds in a damp paper towel in a plastic bag and keep at 85 degrees. You can choose to put the seeds directly in potting mix just make sure it is sterile.

Pap has great advice. I would just start with fresh seeds. If the mold has been able to grow into the seeds or under the coats then surface sterilization may not work. Good Luck!

12/8/2013 3:47:36 PM

Lodi, California

I"ve noticed some germination so maybe the mold doesn't affect that much. Thanks for the help.

12/8/2013 3:47:47 PM

Lodi, California

Thanks Logan. I just prepared a batch soaked in 10% bleach. I will try the soap too.

12/8/2013 3:49:34 PM

Webster, NY

I may be wrong, but as I understand it, if there is mold on the seed shell, it can be transferred to the plant and you could have problems later. I have taken seeds with mold on them, carefully removed the shell and germinated them without the shell. I practiced this on a couple and grew one. The plant grew just fine with no noticeable problems.

Dave

12/8/2013 4:58:40 PM

Connecticut

This may not answer the mold question, but here is a good step-by-step guide to starting giant pumpkin seeds...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF-5lKWiNvE

This is a good time of year to be refining your seed starting skills.

12/8/2013 8:06:13 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Good one Matt !!

12/9/2013 6:43:34 PM