Re: Extracting seeds
In a message dated 11/2/2002 1:55:37 AM Eastern Standard Time,
dec@stratuswave.net writes:
> Dear Veteran Growers,
> When is the best time to extract seeds from the pumpkin. It has set out
> since last of Sept. Pumpkins are in good shape still but I'm getting a
> little antsy about wanting to get the seeds out. The temp. has been in the
> 30s at night and 50s in the day. Need some advice.
> Don Chambers Warwood, WV
>
Don....Does 5 years make me a veteran grower?...lol. If not then disregard
buddy !. Congratz on the new personal best ! Great Job. Seed removal
timing...hmmm...tough call. The real answer is to remove them as soon as
possible or you increase the risks of having a seeds germinate inside the
pumpkin. When does that increased risk become a probability?--no way to
say...depends on weather, sunlight on the fruit may have some effect, age of
fruit, vigor of seed may have some effect, even the fact that its not that
warm out but its a warm spell after a cold spell may trigger germination.
Age, temperature, and seed mood are the big three in my opinion.
Unfortunately, around here --and where you are ---the removal date is
usually determined by how active you wanna be in the seed swap thing....Some
of those Canadians are harvested, dried, and ready to go....we havent even
had our first hard frost here yet but Ive removed the seeds already because i
wanna send out the bubblepacks with my seeds when requesting interesting
potentials from other growers before they run out. I open mine about a week,
maybe two weeks before Halloween, close it up for a while, and carve it a few
days before haloween. I cut the opening tight so it'll close right back in
and there's never any rot/mold that can be seen when I reopen for carving.
Works for me.
That said Id remove themm as soon as possible...quicker if its been in the
field a month waiting for contest, later if the seed cross doesn't thrill
you, and earlier if your world has seed bandits on the prowl..........G
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