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I had a pumpkin blow out on me with a OTT of 349 at 40 days old. There's some seeds that are mature and I wanted to save them since it was a great growing pumpkin! Years ago I dried seeds with a dehydrator with good success. I haven't had the chance to do so in along time and forgot what I use to set the temp at & how long for. I tried drying them on a screen but it's to humid and to many fruit flies around! Anyone care to share what they set their temp and for how long approximately. Thank ypu!

8/14/2023 7:12:11 AM

Syracuse, NY

Generally, you wanna plant the seed again that was a great-growing pumpkin seed this time around, in my honest opinion (IMHO); So, if I love the 301.5 Gerry (which is mine and I wish I had more of, from '05) I would, and am, this year selfing it X 3 to at least have a near-replica of that seed for future use.

If your pollination of the fruit was NOT controlled, meaning if it was not closed off with a nylon mesh bag and then tied off with a Zip tie once pollinated with kept-from-contamination male flowers in a similar manner, (an open pollination) there is *less* sense, but still your personal want, to keep those seeds...everyone prefers closed/grower-managed/pollinated seeds in general.
We knew the Momma and the Poppa, lol.
Nice family, lotta money - get in good with them, so to speak.

There's a chance that the seeds from it are not fully mature since the running number I've read I believe is 60 days to realize fully-mature seeds,
and yet I'm sure that as you say, there are some that ARE mature so, of course, there is plenty of incentive.

MY regimen is also with a food dehydrator, American Harvest, I believe, 3-4 circular trays, with nylon window screen in the bottom of each for separation.

I have never had a problem with this:
92-95 to max 100 degrees F* for 72 hours straight, not turning off and on, except keep the unit somewhere that it is NOT a fire hazard at all. It is essentially a heater fan, and in my garage away from ANY flammables is paramount.

THEN, storage in a tightly-closed, wide-mouthed Mason Jar (Quart) is enabling me to store them for 18 years+ in my cool basement in the case of the 301.5 and many more.
Too expensive at $15.99 a dozen? Just get one from a neighbor -
They'll probably love the idea!

It is the final, seasonal fun part of giant Pumpkin Growing,
other than Seed Auctions, eh?
Later, and Good Luck!---eric g

8/14/2023 7:47:39 AM

Syracuse, NY

PS---NO desiccant packets or bags needed;
Too little moisture is just as bad as too much. eg

8/14/2023 7:52:48 AM

Syracuse, NY

PS2---970.5?
WOWWWWWWW!!! Awesome---eg

8/14/2023 8:00:43 AM

Diamond, Ohio

95° about 48 hours sometimes a little longer, works for me

8/14/2023 1:37:07 PM