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Whidbey Island

We all get so-called ghost seeds, seeds that have nothing inside. I have an interesting question. This year in several pumpkins the vast majority of the seeds were half-ghosts. The tips are pale white and the lower portions are normal. I split open several and they do seem to have normal embryos with normal cotyledons.
Does anyone know why this happens?

11/1/2015 7:44:43 PM

aurora, IL

How old were your pumpkins?

11/1/2015 10:25:47 PM

aurora, IL

I grew two pumpkins, one about 83dap and the other 95dap. The younger had a lot of underdeveloped seeds and the older one had fewer seeds that were underdeveloped.

11/1/2015 10:32:55 PM

Whidbey Island

They were about 14 - 15 weeks old when harvested. One was still putting on a few pounds a day. It did not seem to be related to age as the oldest pumpkin had plenty of the "half-ghosts".

11/2/2015 9:41:50 PM

aurora, IL

Maybe because the pumpkins kept on producing seeds right up to harvest or it could be genetics?

11/3/2015 5:30:32 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Never heard the term ghost seed in 6 years, but half and half seed can be viable. Also plenty of seeds are white\off white by genetics.

11/3/2015 7:44:42 PM

Tenino, WA.

The white tip seeds happen now and than. The first time I saw it was in the late 90's on the 723 Bobier. It may be weather related. There are several growers in the Northwest myself included that have white seed tips this year. Nothing to worry about they will germinate just fine.

11/10/2015 11:24:49 AM