Unexplained germination of pumpkin/squash.

[chickenjane]

The family each chose a variety of pumpkin or squash to try & grow this year.
I think we ended up with
1 x carving pumpkin variety
1x pumpkin for edible seeds variety
1x butternut variety
3x eating/storing squash variety
1x Spaghetti squash variety

Rather extravagent--but hey, it's research!!

Now the Q:

All germinated to nearly 100% using a windowsill propagator with soil temp to just under 25 o C. during the day but poss cooler at night.I didn't get up to check...
... except the spaghetti squash.Variety= Hasta la Pasta.Not cheap. & nothng at all appeared after several weeks.
Was it me? Or the seed? or bad luck?
The only other one to perform less than brilliantly was the Lady Godiva = edible seeds. But I have got one fab & one ok plant from that packet..so that's sort of OK.

I would really appreciate any comments from those wiser & more experienced than me.

[ian]

Hi, this may help it may not, I started all my courgettes and squashes about 4 weeks ago. Everything germinated in my propagator including the spaghetti vegetable. However, my winter squash seeds (one year old) had a really poor germination rate 1 from four. About a week ago I put the ungerminated pots out on the patio- ready for the compost heap. However, since placing these seeds outside, 2 of three have since germinated (temps 8-19C). Maybe your propagator temp is too high and the seeds may prefer cooler temps?

[multiveg]

I haven't started mine apart from 3 courgettes with 100% germination. I am wondering if your seed is "ok".

[rustylady]

If it's only one variety then I would think the seed is a bit iffy. Try another batch if you have any seed left, and if they don't germinate let the seed company know - you should get at least a refund.

[chickenjane]

thankyou for all the replies.Most helpful.

I did resow with the remaining 4 seeds ....still nothing.
The packet was from T & M ,whereas all the other squashes & pumpkins were
good old Henry Doubleday.Maybe theres a moral in there.
Never thought of asking for my money back.Do seed companies do this?
I mean what's to stop people just saying their seed didn't comeup?