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Location

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Date Posted

Dillonvale, Ohio

I'm going to be starting my seeds later today, I'm curious as to what everyone uses to soak their seeds before they plant them. Also how long do you soak them?

4/15/2017 8:38:23 AM

Eganville, Ontario

1 1/2 to 2 hours in warm water mild humid/fulvic/seaweed mixture.

Then to damp paper towel in baggy, and 89 degrees. Roots in 24-48 hrs.

4/15/2017 2:49:31 PM

Western ny

45 min here, hold seeds under water ,i use warm water with no mixtures----back the mother nature =100% for me

4/15/2017 3:17:23 PM

Jericho Vermont

I use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water for both pumpkins and long gourds. I feel it softens hard shells better and also helps to sterilize seed coat to help prevent disease.

4/15/2017 4:22:56 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Room temp tap water, 4 hours after being filed down.

4/15/2017 5:16:44 PM

Massillon, Ohio

Just finished mine. 30 minute soak in mild hydrogen peroxide water, followed by 2 hour soak in mild "Essential Plus" water (1 tsp in 2 cups water). They are now in damp paper towels, plastic baggies and on top of a food dehydrator. Just like Ryan, they will pop the root in 24-48 hours, and then go into pots on a heat mat.

4/15/2017 5:24:46 PM

N. Hertfordshire, UK

I'm only a newbie, but I've only ever used plain boiled water (NOT too hot from the kettle though!)just for 1 - 3 hours...I normally get germination between about 24 and 60 hours (damp cotton wool in a warm place)

4/15/2017 5:58:07 PM

Colorado

4 hrs in a kelp soak

4/15/2017 7:25:58 PM

Colorado

Joe ailts did a soaking study/test a few years ago and 4 hrs was the sweet spot.

4/15/2017 8:04:25 PM

Western Massachusetts

4 hours soaking after sanding edges in 85-88° water mixed with dilute seaweed fertilizer. Never not had a seed germinate this way.

4/15/2017 8:07:30 PM

Dillonvale, Ohio

I soaked them for 4 hours in 1 cup of water with some seaweed extract and a small pinch of humic acid. I guess I'll see in a few days how it worked.

4/15/2017 8:16:35 PM

aurora, IL

Did a 4 hour soak in Essential Plus(2 oz per gallon) with edges filed. I used a folded paper towel to keep my squash seeds submerged.

4/16/2017 11:36:19 AM

Ohio

4 hours in 2% milk

4/16/2017 11:57:04 AM

Walhalla, ND.

I sand them, soak in plain tap water 8 hrs. Put them in 6in peat pots. Didn't have any problems with shell coming off. Did the same last year %100 so far.

4/16/2017 9:24:26 PM

Grittyville, WA

I tried some for 10-15 min at 110-115 deg. It did not kill them. Softened the coat quickly and they germinated ok. @ zebra surprised milk does not rot them. An orange juice soak might turn them orange...

4/18/2017 8:42:40 AM

Deer Park, WI

I performed two studies on seed germination/emergence, one with temperature and another on soaking. you can find the outcome of my experiments here:

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

4/18/2017 4:43:24 PM

Mn

I soak mine in a cup of baby tears.

4/18/2017 4:59:03 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

Reading this thread, i have realised that i made a mistake and soaked my first group of seeds for 4 hours in straight reverse osmosis water. Next batch...going to soak for 8 hours in 100% General Hydroponics Rapid Start (rooting enhancer). If it works for clones, why not for seeds. Caution...new growers please do not follow my example.

4/18/2017 6:15:49 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I never soak them. Fill 5" peat pot 2/3 full of potting soil. Mix in some Espoma Starter Plus and Pumpkin pro, top 1/3 is Jiffy mix. I scrape edges and flat sides of seeds with pocket knife to help moisture get in. Right into germination chamber at 88 degrees, keep the moisture correct.

4/18/2017 7:03:50 PM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

It only allows for 2000 characters and I need more than that lol
Lots of biological things I use and kelp humic fulvic

4/18/2017 7:47:17 PM

Lloydminster/AB

I never soak. Usually have a radical in 24 hours in just starting mix with no moisture added.

4/19/2017 12:36:40 AM

Sharon, MA

I Sand the seed sides. then 1 hour wrapped in a wet paper towel, in the incubator at 90F/

4/20/2017 12:58:27 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

8 hour soak in 50/50 seaweed with RO water. I soak my 6" pots in 50/50 F & SW (neptunes harvest) 8 hours as well. Mix my Azo/Myco in the soil/ Into the chamber at 89.6. I lay a sheet of AL foil in the bottom of the seed tray, and wrap the peat pot in AL foil as well. For conduction. This is how the 14 year old 500 Wallace was germed in 6 days.

4/20/2017 1:16:33 PM