Hi everyone,
Having read the earlier topic on parsnip germination I am wondering if I should soak the butternut seed since I have had no luck with earlier sowings. Should I wait until the first white root appears or put in damp compost after soaking overnight. Re parnips will try the soaking on kitchen roll since I haven't yet planted mine. With no rain forecast I am finding all the watering a bit depressing at this time of year before we even go into the 'long hot summer'.
Regards
Hilary
Butter nut germination
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Primrose
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I sowed several Sweet Dumpling Winter Squash seeds nearly three weeks ago (which are two years old) and disappointly none of them have yet germinated. I didn't soak them beforehand and suspect I have probably lost the plot for these plants this year. Annoyingly, in previous years, I have just chucked all my squash seeds on the compost heap and numerous ones have self seeded when the compost was dug into the borders. Nature is so perverse. You may have to resort to trying to buy some replacements from a garden centre although it's perhaps worth trying one more attempt soaking the seed first..
thanks Primrose, I'll have one more attempt with soaking first. This year seems to have caught me out. I kept on thinking the nights were still cold and we may dip into a frost and now the ground is like iron and in clods which are really hard to break up. Trouble is I am still sowing as in previous years - old dogs etc!!!
Because Squashes have a very hard outer case water has difficulty in penetrating it. The seed needs water to initiate germination so may I suggest that if you are having difficulties in germinating them that you very carefully nick the end of the seed with a Stanley Knife or equally sharp instrument the other end to the scar of the shell.
Hold the seed under your index finger and only exposing a minute fraction of the seed then carefully slide the knife down the nail of the finger and cut enough casing away to expose the inside of the seed without doing any damage to the interior parts. Then place between MOIST, BUT NOT TOO WET kitchen paper and I feel sure that your germination rate will increase dramatically. Place in a warmish place but not necessarily a propagator. After this, germination is quite rapid so keep a constant check and at the first sign of germination, a small white root will appear from the scar, sow into moist compost. Then carry on as normal.
JB.
Hold the seed under your index finger and only exposing a minute fraction of the seed then carefully slide the knife down the nail of the finger and cut enough casing away to expose the inside of the seed without doing any damage to the interior parts. Then place between MOIST, BUT NOT TOO WET kitchen paper and I feel sure that your germination rate will increase dramatically. Place in a warmish place but not necessarily a propagator. After this, germination is quite rapid so keep a constant check and at the first sign of germination, a small white root will appear from the scar, sow into moist compost. Then carry on as normal.
JB.
Hi Hilary,
Do remember a couple of things
1. Do try not to nick yourself!
2. If you have made a cut and you still cannot see that the inside of the seed try carefully piercing the end that you have cut. The hole to admit water only needs to be minute.
3. Although Squash Seeds are normally quite large some are quite small and need only a smidgen of a sliver taken off.
I have used this method with many different varieties of seed and it has been very successful.
I do hope it works for you.
JB.
Do remember a couple of things
1. Do try not to nick yourself!
2. If you have made a cut and you still cannot see that the inside of the seed try carefully piercing the end that you have cut. The hole to admit water only needs to be minute.
3. Although Squash Seeds are normally quite large some are quite small and need only a smidgen of a sliver taken off.
I have used this method with many different varieties of seed and it has been very successful.
I do hope it works for you.
JB.
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Malk
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I can honestly say I've never had a problem getting my pumpkins to germinate, but butternut squashes seem to have less of a success rate. Maybe will try the cutting option next year, only got three this time, but as Mr Malk doesn't like them there's no point in growing more.
I'd just like to get some actual fruit this year.
I'd just like to get some actual fruit this year.
Welcome to Finland!!
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acrylicspud
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My first year of trying, and I've had success with butternut squashes (so far) this year.
All I did was stick one seed per small pot, put it sideways and water abit. Then I left them in my plastic mini greenhouse until they germinated, and now I get them out side each day (the greenhouse gets boiling hot) and they are looking healthy enough. The same with outdoor cucumbers. Now to find space to plant them all!
No idea when you know it's hardened enough to be planted out..... still I've got plenty of time left to do something wrong and ruin them all!
All I did was stick one seed per small pot, put it sideways and water abit. Then I left them in my plastic mini greenhouse until they germinated, and now I get them out side each day (the greenhouse gets boiling hot) and they are looking healthy enough. The same with outdoor cucumbers. Now to find space to plant them all!
No idea when you know it's hardened enough to be planted out..... still I've got plenty of time left to do something wrong and ruin them all!