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Deer Park, WI

Folks, friendly reminder that I performed some experiments on soaking and temperature as it relates to successfully and efficiently germinating giant pumpkin seeds. These findings have solidified ideas we've all believed to be true but this time there's numbers behind it.

I've made these findings available via the SCGA website, check em out and happy germinating!

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

4/17/2016 1:29:36 PM

Pemberton, BC

Good stuff Joe. Do you believe in there is any more benefit to be gained from a longer soak say 12 or 16 hours?

4/17/2016 5:12:32 PM

Deer Park, WI

Thanks, Chad. And that's a great question you pose, one that deserves to be explored experimentally.

Many moons ago I wrote about the "advanced seed starting method" where a naked seed (sans seed coat) can be germinated in a wet paper towel and then transferred to soil when the radicle (root tip) emerges. Radicle emergence can happen in a very short time period, and this would de facto qualify as a prolonged seed soak.

My concern with long seed soaks is oxygen deprivation. as much as water and heat accelerate germination, they also need oxygen. Not just for their own "breathing" needs, but also due to the fact that many of the nastiest bacteria thrive in low-oxygen environments.

4/17/2016 7:59:33 PM

Central Illinois

Someone did a seed soak test here last year I think ,speed of germination increased with a longer seed soak , the test was done at 2-4-6-8 hours. When reaching the 8 hr mark the increase wasn't improving much , He reached the conclusion that 6 to 8 hrs had the best time.

I have been using 6 hrs at 86F, if your worried about oxygen I think peroxide would help or using a air pump with fine bubbles

4/18/2016 8:45:40 AM

Johnston, Iowa

Good articles, thanks Joe!

4/18/2016 10:09:02 AM

Austin MN

Great presentation at the club meeting on it today! I only soaked mine for 4hrs do to work. Hopefully will be up by Friday!

4/18/2016 5:26:58 PM