germinating pumpkins,cougettes,squashes

[Helen Johnson]

Certainly been very warm here in daytime, but very frosty at night! Will try some in the airing cupboard, I'm just afraid of forgetting them, and finding some dried up remnants!! and not water tham until they're really sprouting, thanks

[Matt.]

You can always soak the seeds in water a day before you plant to help soften the shell. I've never done this though and never had a problem. Just make sure the compost is damp enough to begin with.

[Lavenderblue]

I bung mine in the airing cupboard for a couple of days. It seems to get them going nicely. I had 100% germination with my pumpkins and squashes last year.

[Flummery]

I do mine (not till the end of April but I'm over here on the edge of beyond!) in pots on the windowsill with poly bags just like you, Helen. I have tried placing the seeds on their sides but I'm not convinced it makes much difference. I sow them in moist compost but don't water again until they are up, and it's drying out. I also bring windowsill plant onto the dining table when I draw the curtains. That might be your problem. I don't have an airing cupboard and for propagations purposes I've never missed one.

Good luck this year. I hope it was just a blip!

[Peter]

I use a heated propagator, one full seed tray in size.
Lavenderblue's method is also good, they love good constant warmth and with it they'll be up inside a week.

[di]

I start mine off mid April.Just pop them on their sides in a pot of compost & keep them in the mini plastic greenhouse.
Other than some Crown Prince last year(which I think were a dud pack as not one of them showed),I've never had a problem doing it this way.
Just have to remember on hot days to open up the greenhouse,otherwise they dry out/fry!
Only keep the compost "just" moist...overwatering can be just as bad as none.

[Jenegade]

I bung mine in the airing cupboard for a couple of days. It seems to get them going nicely. I had 100% germination with my pumpkins and squashes last year.

Do you just put them in a tub or do you put damp kitchen towel in too? Or would that make them rot?

I'm having trouble getting my pepper seeds to germinate, they've been in pots with a bag over at the sunniest south facing windowsill for a month now and still nothing! I hope my courgettes and squash will do better when I sow them.

[Lavenderblue]

I just put them in a pot with compost, water them and then leave them alone for a few days. As soon as I see signs of life, they come out onto a windowsill or if its warm enough outside, into my mini greenhouse.

Its a bit early to get them going yet, I was going to sew mine at the beginning of april. I've got some chilli seeds in the airing cupboard at the moment.