Pumpkin Seed Handling

Hi, I'm Roger a new subscriber. I have been growing for 15 yrs in the Snake
River Canyon of Wash St. I've had lots of 200 lb+ with the biggest being
275lb.  I just learned from the net that I should have been shading the
pumpkins.  Maybe a big one this year!
I start my seeds by soaking them in water for 24hrs, then placing them in a
double layer of wet paper towels.  This goes into a large ziplock and goes
on top the hotwater heater with a plate under it.  Its important that the
seeds have good air exchange while germinating.  I don't seal the ziplock
and 3-4 times each 24hrs I open them up and unfold the towels and then put
it all back in the ziplock. Be sure to maintain a good water content in the
ziplock.  If you have excess water in the ziplock after a good soaking to
start with pour it out.  The reason I start the seeds this way is to let me
see which ones start first and are the strongest.  It also lets me pick the
best seeds without the peatpots and soil. This greatly cuts down on the
area I need to get the few plants I want. After the seeds start to develope
roots, I place each one in a 4in peat pot under lights.  If I'm planting
outside in hills later in the season I soak the seeds 24hr before they go
out.    If you have a good seed strain from a large pumpkin you should
consider only self-pollination.  This doubles the chance that your next
generation will have more of the traits that were good to start with. 
Cross-pollination can possibly throw the next generation into a genetic
stew.  The summers here can have long stretches of 100+degrees in the day
and 70-80 degrees at nite. I handle the wilt down by burying all stems with
mulch and soil going for maximum root absorbtion area.   Have Fun!  Roger

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