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South Dakota

I am having a bit of trouble getting any long gourd seeds to germinate. When people speak of clipping the point of the seed, do they mean the tip where the root is supposed to come out, or the little ears on top of the seed? How long should I soak, I've read from one hour to 24 hours? Do you sand the edges like a pumpkin, until you see the little dark line? This was to be my first year, but have 0 out of 8, Only have five seeds left. I have them directly on a seed germination heat mat, seems very warm, if you put pumpkin seeds directly on it, it makes them smell. Too hot I think. This last attempt, I put the paper towel ziplock on a table plate on top of the germination mat and I did get one of the pumpkins to germinate, so I am going to do the same with my next attempt at the long gourd seeds. When is it too late to start the long gourds to get anything decent?

5/14/2020 8:21:33 AM

Plattsburgh, NY

My best luck in germinating basically any gourd seeds is to freeze them for several weeks. Once they come out of the deep freeze, they behave much more reasonably

5/14/2020 8:57:35 AM

Guelph, Ontario

There are some species of seeds that will gernminate after freezing. These are ones with hard brittle seeds. Long gourd seeds are hard, but not brittle. So no reason to expect that to work.

In any case, freezing is freezing. Time spent frozen is irrelevant.

Clipping helps. On both ends, and along sides. You can also file.

Need warmth to germinate. Placing with damp paper towel inside plastic baggie, in warmth (80-80F) works very well. I get germination is 203 days. When planted in soil can take several weeks. More if not at 60-90 F

5/14/2020 9:09:26 AM

Guelph, Ontario

2 to 3 days

5/14/2020 9:10:00 AM

Colorado

Many of the seeds from the longest gourds arent mature because the gourds were picked as soon as they were done putting on lenght( so they dont develop a rotten or shriveled tip). those seeds are always iffy on sprouting. The world record 155's looked immature but luckily 2 out of three sprouted for me.Those young gourd seeds tend to feel light and are a dirty white seed. . Seeds that are more mature tend to be a darker green color and seem to be more likely to germ.

5/14/2020 1:36:53 PM

Partlow,Va

Great points in the above posts. I will add that soaking for long periods or overnight is doing nothing good. Just break an ear, don't cut or take much off and short soak like kins. Sand the edges lightly and barely crack an opening.
I germ at 88 or so. If the seed is mature it will come up at probably 80% germ rate

5/14/2020 8:55:59 PM