Re: Pumpkin Balls/seeds germinating in pumpkin

1.  How long will they keep and will the seeds still be good?  Answer: I'm
not sure how long you can keep them, but they are a winter squash and if
kept cool and dry could last into January.   The seeds should be fine as
long as they don't germinate in the fruit, or the fruit doesn't start to
rot.   They may still be OK from a rotten fruit but who would want to get
them out of that stinking slop?
2.  Why do the seeds germinate in the fruit and how can it be prevented?
Answer: I think it is a matter of maturity of the fruit and temperature.
Several years ago Joel Holland grew an 807 lb. pumpkin that was mature at
the end of August and quit growing.  He entered it at the Puyallup fair
where it was on display for nearly three weeks in September.  It was a warm
autumn.  It the went on a tour of local elementary schools and when he
finally opened it up to remove the seeds he found they had all germinated.
In my own experience I have found some seeds germinated inside of my
pumpkins.  They seem to be the ones that are the most mature and that have
spent some time exposed to warm temperatures after harvest.  Possibly they
are just the ones that are the most ready to grow and reproduce.  I have
also had a number with split seed coats.  I will play with them this winter
and test germinate them to see how they perform, and if they are affected
from drying out.  Just my observations.

Chris Michalec
Covington, WA

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PUMPKINS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index