Pumpkins

[chippy queen]

This is the first time I have tried growing Pumpkins and I am not having a great success.  I planted 1 seed in a 3" pot x 3 put them in the GH but nothing is happening.  This was about 3 weeks ago by the way.  Am I wateringing them too much or not enough.  I there a surefire way to make them germinate.  I feel a failure as the packet says "easy to grow" :-[ :-[ :'(

[chippy queen]

[betula]

Cold greenhouse?? :)

[asbean]

They like to be warm when germinating

[busy_lizzie]

Hi, The way I germinate pumpkins is to put a seed (sideways) in a small pot of moist compost. Cover top with cling film and put in the airing cupboard. Keep looking every day and very soon you will see the seed pushing its way to the top.  This usually happens quite quickly and when it does you bring it into the light (perhaps a sunny windowsill). This has always been very successful for me. I repot as the plant gets bigger and usually plant out at the beginning of June when you should have a good root system. Hope this helps. Good luck. busy_lizzie

[tonybloke]

Sounds like you have drowned and rotted the seed. when sowing seed, water the compost until it is saturated, and then let it fully drain.(this ensures a good water / air ratio)
Push the seed in  (sideways, the seedling has to push it back out !). cover with glass / plastic / sandwich bag / etc.
Place in a warm environment (light not neccessary at this stage)
Check daily,and at first sign of seedling emergence move to a well -lit situation.

Hope this helps, rgds, Tony

[caroline7758]

Pre-chit the seeds by putting them between a couple of sheets of kitchen roll. Then wrap in foil (better than clingfilm) to keep warmand stop drying out) and put in a warm place, e.g.a sunny windowsill. They can still take up to a week to germinate, depending on how warm they are.Keep checking and when they are sprouting pot them up.

[saddad]

the packet says "easy to grow"

We've all experienced that at some point...  :-[

[Doris_Pinks]

I would rootle around with my finger to see if the seeds have rotted off or not..................my friend who has been growing pumpkins for years has had his in for 3 weeks and nada.......so I have bought them home and put them on my sunny windowsill, the seeds are there as I have had a dig around...........i think he just didn't have them in a warm enough spot!

[Robert_Brenchley]

Warmth makes a lot of difference. At the moment I'm getting seeds to germinate well in the cupboard under the water heater, where there's not much space and plants get etiolated, but they're slow on the windowsill. I wouldn't put tender plants to germinate outside the house yet.

[Digeroo]

I put courgette and pumpkin seeds in damp kitchen roll. Put another piece of damp roll underneath and then put in a yoghurt pot and put into a plastic bag.  This is then put on the radiator with a piece of material underneath so it is not too hot.    Will take about 3- 5 days before they will need potting on.

I usually achieve 95% germination.  This year two pumpkins have failed.  About 20 have not.  Have not lost a courgette.

Perhaps the seed was too old.  It stops germinating after about 5-6 years.  I think sometimes the seeds get too hot in the garden centres particularly the ones which are basically a very large green house.

Gently squeeze your seeds if soft stuff ouses out, they have rotted.  If not try putting on a suuny window sill, they like light.

I have four big max that are already germinated and I do not know what to do with.  If you send me you address I will post them.  But you will have to be quick I am off on my hols on monday.

[chippy queen]

Thanks to you all for your answers.  I must admit the first 3 i planted I did root around and they were exactely as digeroo said - mushy, so thats when I planted some more.  I have a few more seeds that I will try as you have all said - in a warm cupboard. I will let you know how it goes.  Thanks for the offer digeroo but I will persevere with my seeds.

[Tee Gee]

This is my way; http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Pumpkin/Pumpkin.htm which is basically the same way as the others have mentioned.

[SPUDLY]

I'm growing them for the first time this year also. Potted three on 14/3 and all three have come up. They are now on the plot under cloches. I'm affraid this means that this time you are a failure, and should be staked out on your plot and spanked with a limp leek ;D ;D ;D only kidding, should be a stick of rhubarb.

[chippy queen]

I can't wait Spudly ;D ;D :o

[kt.]

Cold greenhouse?? :)

They like to be warm when germinating

I am trying Cinderella Coach as a first pumpkin.  I sowed 6 seeds 10 days ago in a cold greenhouse.  I guess they will have to come in tomorrow ::) ::)   How long before they germinate  ???

[saddad]

If they are warm enough they rarely take longer than 3-5 days...  :)

[chippy queen]

Just a quick update. Thanks to you all for your replies and i am now very pleased to report that 3 of my 4 pumpkin seeds are sprouting HURRAY.  Still trying with the butternut squash though.  Maybe someone could tell me do pumpkins need to be kept wet/moist/.dry?? Do I water from the top or bottom.  They are in 3" pots at the mo when should I repot or plant out. Thanks again

[GodfreyRob]

Just a quick update. Thanks to you all for your replies and i am now very pleased to report that 3 of my 4 pumpkin seeds are sprouting HURRAY.  Still trying with the butternut squash though.  Maybe someone could tell me do pumpkins need to be kept wet/moist/.dry?? Do I water from the top or bottom.  They are in 3" pots at the mo when should I repot or plant out. Thanks again

Don't let the soil/compost dry out - but avoid them standing in cold water too. You can usually see the compost change colour as it dries out - if it goes from dark to light then its time to water.

Pumpkins, etc grow real quick - check for roots starting to come out of the bottom of the pot - as soon as you see them its time to move to a bigger one.

[cornykev]

Cheers for that Busy Lizzie, you just reminded me I have hunter butternut in the airing cupboard two of them have grown as tall as the plastic bag I had them in, hope they'll be OK they look healthy but a bit leggy, good luck with yours Chippy.   ???     :-\    ;D ;D ;D