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Deer Park, WI

Growers-

Throughout the doldrums of winter, I conducted a series of experiments exploring the various factors affecting germination in giant pumpkins.

I investigated temperature effects as well as seed soaking effects on time to emergence, as well as semi-quantification of rooting behavior in seedlings. The results are quite illuminating.

You can find my articles on the St. Croix Growers Association webpage:

http://www.stcroixgrowers.org/Articles.html

And while you're there, please have a look at the seeds and "Patch Guide" the SCGA has available for purchase. You may find something there you like. Enjoy!

3/20/2015 11:06:42 AM

Interesting stuff.

3/20/2015 11:31:43 AM

Lexington, Ky

Very nice work and thanks for sharing. Was the soak water kept at 75 for the entire 8 hours?

3/20/2015 1:00:09 PM

Deer Park, WI

Yes, the soak water was kept at the respective experimental temperature for each group.

3/20/2015 1:55:07 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

^5's

3/20/2015 4:36:32 PM

Midway, UT

Great information. Was there any significant difference in the number of seeds that didn't germinate between the three soak groups? I was wondering in particular if the 8 hour soak made the seeds pop faster but if more of the seeds tended to rot out?

3/21/2015 9:32:05 AM

Deer Park, WI

I was fortunate in that all 96 seeds used in these experiments germinated and emerged. For what its worth, the 1546 Midthun is a very dependable germinator. :)

3/21/2015 12:22:45 PM

Lexington, Ky

That's crazy using up that many seeds from 1,500+ pounder! A great lesson however, much appreciated.

3/21/2015 4:57:42 PM

Deer Park, WI

SCGA growers are popping so many 1500lb+ fruit that we've got ample seed to experiment with. :) I hope that in a couple years I'll be experimenting with one ton seed. haha

3/21/2015 7:43:15 PM

Nekoosa, Wisconsin

Interesting stuff. Were the seeds the white thin coated ones or brown thick coated? Did you file them before soaking and germinating. Thanks.

3/22/2015 10:18:54 PM

Enumclaw, Washington

Nice experiment and study. Thank you

3/22/2015 11:09:34 PM

Deer Park, WI

Mark- on a scale of 1 to 4, with 1 being pure, soft white and 4 being pure hard tan, these are a 2.

3/23/2015 7:51:50 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Thanks for the post

3/23/2015 8:09:15 AM