Giant Pumkins...Come on!

[DarkCrow]

Hi Guys

I'm trying despratley to get my pumpkings to sprout! they have been in pots in the conservatory for 7 days now and no sign of a sprout. how long before they break soil? My Plot shold be ready for them soon but i'm not sure if they are doing anything at all. is there some safe way i can check?

Thanks in advance

[Jeanied]

I'm in just the same predicament as you Dark Crow! Mine have been sitting in the propagator for over a week. Three pots have sprouted and the rest - nada!

[DarkCrow]

I'm in just the same predicament as you Dark Crow! Mine have been sitting in the propagator for over a week. Three pots have sprouted and the rest - nada!

Hi Jeanied

This is my very first grow and i thought i was being impaitent but maybe i'm not. Packet said germination in 5-7 days, is germination when the seed "wakes up" or when it breaks soil? i'm confused (not hard)

[zazen999]

You lot have NO idea - try getting them to germinate north of Watford Gap.

Try nicking the casing a little, to help it to get out. Some of mine too about 3 weeks and then the rest just didn't do anything.

[Pumpkin Becki]

Hun, we have a special word for this...its called 'furtling'.

It involves very gently brushing around in the top of the soil to see if you can see any shoots just below the surface. I've been furtling in all my cucurbits (pumpkin/squash/courgette family) this weekend, they've been in for about a week as well, some are showing signs of growth, and others aren't yet...don't loose heart, they'll come.

[Snadger]

Hun, we have a special word for this...its called 'furtling'.

It involves very gently brushing around in the top of the soil to see if you can see any shoots just below the surface. I've been furtling in all my cucurbits (pumpkin/squash/courgette family) this weekend, they've been in for about a week as well, some are showing signs of growth, and others aren't yet...don't loose heart, they'll come.

Was just about to mention 'fertling' but you beat me to it PB!

[DarkCrow]

Hun, we have a special word for this...its called 'furtling'.

It involves very gently brushing around in the top of the soil to see if you can see any shoots just below the surface. I've been furtling in all my cucurbits (pumpkin/squash/courgette family) this weekend, they've been in for about a week as well, some are showing signs of growth, and others aren't yet...don't loose heart, they'll come.

I'll hang in there!!

You lot have NO idea - try getting them to germinate north of Watford Gap.

Try nicking the casing a little, to help it to get out. Some of mine too about 3 weeks and then the rest just didn't do anything.

Hi Zaz

Your bang on...I have no idea!! I live in Kent! (Garden of england my A**e)

PB come save me!!(well my Pumpkins anyhoo)

They have "grabbed soil" i just checked nothing out top but firmley seated

[zazen999]

Hi Zaz

Your bang on...I have no idea!! I live in Kent! (Garden of england my A**e)

I know it well [ask PB...]

I tend to furtle around if seeds haven't shown their faces after enough time has lasped. I'm too tight and want to reuse the compost if they have 'blown' or gone mouldy which some do every now and then.

[Pumpkin Becki]

Was just about to mention 'fertling' but you beat me to it PB!

I've been learning from the best

I'll hang in there!!


PB come save me!!(well my Pumpkins anyhoo)

They have "grabbed soil" i just checked nothing out top but firmley seated

Okay...did you furtle right down to where the seed is? Could you see any sign of the seed breaking open, or any growth coming out of it?

[binley100]

I'm too tight and want to reuse the compost if they have 'blown' or gone mouldy which some do every now and then.

Glad it's not just me then

[DarkCrow]

I've been learning from the best



Okay...did you furtle right down to where the seed is? Could you see any sign of the seed breaking open, or any growth coming out of it?

I furtled! I furtled! growth out the bottom but not out the top! oh the other thing is... how long do i need to leave it before watering? i lhave been leaving it 4-5 days between and not letting the soil dry completley. sound about right?

Ps Hi Binley!

[Pumpkin Becki]

Oh well, if you've got growth coming then all is well. Give them another couple of days and they should break the soil surface. How exciting!! God I love growing pumpkins!!

Keep the soil just-damp as you have been, you don't want them to rot off. Once you've got seed leaves above the soil surface you can water a little more but don't make it soggy.

[Jeanied]

I just firtled mine too- one courgette seed has germinated, one squash seed has sent out a little root and the rest are sitting sulking. I've given them all a drop of water and turned the propagator back on.

[DarkCrow]

I just firtled mine too- one courgette seed has germinated, one squash seed has sent out a little root and the rest are sitting sulking. I've given them all a drop of water and turned the propagator back on.

i have mine sitting in a consevatory around 20c, is a propigator the way to go? if so i'm on it!

[Jeanied]

I really don't know the answer to that one Dark Crow! Last year I germinated everything in the kitchen which isn't the warmest room in the house as there is no radiator in there. This year when it got so cold I dug out a propagator- it's on a north facing windowledge so I figured the extra heat would be useful.