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Location

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Date Posted

South Dakota

Just wanting the basics of harvesting seeds from your AG. Is it as simple as digging out the seeds and drying on newspaper? I think I read somewhere where people use oxi-clean to clean them up? Just needs some direction to ensure good seed. Thanks alot.

10/12/2020 4:47:39 PM

Partlow,Va

I put them in a large bowl of water while removing them then in a colander and rinse very well. No pulp. Then I put them on a house screen or hardware cloth rack and dry for two weeks or so. Just have air flow on both sides. For a couple days I leave a ceiling fan on low for some air flow. It is important to remove the clear coating on them which will rub right off when ready in a few days or they will get mold spots over time. Been there done that lol.
You can also use wax paper. No newspaper allowed! Best of luck to you and congrats on having seeds to dry!

10/12/2020 8:02:39 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Like Hank said. Clean them up well, I use a little bleach in the water and then set them on a cookie sheet with tinfoil and put a fan on them. I stir them occasionally and when the skin starts to come off, they are done.

10/12/2020 8:37:41 PM

Colorado

Once you have the outside dry where the membranes comes off there still not dry enough.so put them in a breathable bag such as a paper lunch bag for at least a couple more weeks.

10/12/2020 10:23:18 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Yes, great tip Cojoe.

10/13/2020 12:14:22 AM

Syracuse, NY

food dehydrator @ MAX. 100 degrees for 72 hours and they're done. never had any problems---eg

10/13/2020 1:51:30 PM

North Of The Border

I put them on a beach towel, and let them sit for a few days, to a few weeks.

10/13/2020 4:10:48 PM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

After you are sure they are dry, do a drop test on each seed to see if they are good. A good seed will give a thud a hollow seed will give an echo. Once you can distinguish a bad seed you can do more than one at a time. If any seed is not fully developed don't give it to any seed auction. Good luck in 2021.

1/13/2021 11:45:52 AM

Syracuse, NY

Food dehydrator @ MAX. 97 degrees for 72 hours and they're DONE. never had any problems---eg---store in a 1-quart Mason jar with NO desiccant, in a dark, cool place - write on the jar with black sharpie even on bottom what the cross and year are, as they will wear away when you muse and roll the jar around marveling at them, lol...does anyone else use a food dehydrator, like me and Joel Holland? eg

1/13/2021 2:11:12 PM

Syracuse, NY

okay, i'll make up for what always sounds like an angry post, lol---LJ, and y'all, if you are still getting seeds ready to be dried or they're under way or whatever, i got seeds from a 576-pounder of mine that was wayyy overdue for seed removal and i kept about 25 in my fridge for an...experiment.
well, they must've been special because it took about 2 weeks for them to get even a little ripe; i planted two of them in exactly the way i would have for an actual season and they sprouted better/faster/healthier than the rest of my DRIED (whoops) 2021 seeds. best of the bunch and handed them to a lady at work for her to grow and get used to for '21 season for real. i've seen a seedling in a grower's pumpkin recently but i'm on the low-low, so...---eric g

1/14/2021 2:44:40 AM

South Dakota

Bill, were some of the seeds I sent not any good?

1/14/2021 9:01:13 AM

Centennial Colorado

Btw. Now that your seeds are dry keep them in a cool, dry place. I happen to have a wine sellar, but a cool closet does the trick as well.

1/14/2021 9:37:22 AM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

LJ It was not meant to you. Your seeds were fine. However it was another important step in making sure seeds are sound.

1/19/2021 1:12:34 PM