How to sprout pumpkin seeds quickly

If you planted a pumpkin on your site and want to get a good harvest from it, then you need to start preparatory work in advance, even in the fall. Dig up the area where you are going to grow the pumpkin and apply the necessary feeding. With the onset of spring, a thorough inspection of the planting material is required. If you notice chips or other damage anywhere, then such pumpkin seeds should be set aside - they will not be suitable for planting. Germinating pumpkin seeds should be done for 4-8 days until you notice the appearance of small roots. Only in this case can such planting material be used for seedlings.

How to germinate pumpkin seeds before planting

pumpkin seeds

In order to germinate pumpkin seeds, you need to go through 3 main stages:

1. Check all the seeds to see if they can sprout;

2. Soak and disinfect the seeds;

3. You need to grow seeds only in a special container using peat.

If you do not have the opportunity to purchase, then you can make such containers from toilet paper. Do not worry, when you plant the seedlings in the ground in a permanent place, the toilet paper will dissolve on its own under the influence of water.

Dimensions can be 60 * 60 or 60 * 80 mm. It is also important to understand the difference between the seeds that you purchased from the store and those that you got from the harvest. Those seeds that you purchased from the store will not need to be further processed. They can be dealt with immediately for germination.

If you are going to use pumpkin seeds that were obtained from the harvest, then they must first be sorted and decontaminated. To do this, after examining the appearance of the seeds, it is important to put them in a salt solution.

Wait about 10-15 minutes. Those seeds that float must be removed, since they will no longer be able to germinate. Those seeds that remain at the bottom will need to be pulled out and dried thoroughly. To do this, lay them out on a napkin.

After that, the seeds will need to be placed in a solution of potassium permanganate. To do this, you need to add manganese so that the water acquires a delicate pink color. It is recommended to leave the seeds in such a solution for 3-5 hours.

With this treatment, you can kill fungi and other pests that may be contained in the peel. You can also increase immunity and significantly improve the level of seed germination.

Then the seeds are laid out on a napkin so that they dry well. In order for the seeds to sprout better, you can take wood ash. To do this, you need ash flour and hot water. Mix everything well, and leave the seeds in such a mixture for 5-6 hours. For 1 liter of water, you will need 1 tbsp. l. ash.

Some summer residents do not know or doubt such a pre-planting seed treatment. But if you want to get a good and healthy harvest, then this will be a must. If this is not done, the germination rate may drop to about 30%.

In stores, you can find special products that treat seeds before planting. But it is important to follow all the recommendations that are indicated in the instructions.

After processing with such means, the seedlings have the best germination, they have increased immunity to various negative external factors.

The process of germination of pumpkin seeds takes place in a "snail". A snail is a moist material (rag) in which all the seeds that are suitable for planting are placed and rolled up.

It is important that the material is moist, but there should be no accumulation of water. Excess moisture can prevent the seeds from germinating better. The decay process may also begin. It is necessary to keep the seeds in such a snail until the first shoots with roots appear.

As soon as you notice this, you can start landing. When you notice that the seedlings have given the first roots, you can transplant them into prepared beds. It will be necessary to make holes in them, the depth of which will not exceed 5 cm. 1 seed is placed in 1 hole.

Then you will need to add the substrate and fertilize everything well with water. Make sure that the soil temperature is at least +15 degrees.

It will be a significant plus if you plant the seeds in a special substrate (you can buy it at any store). Or make a mixture using sawdust and peat (1: 1 consistency). 1 tsp may be suitable as a feeding. nitrophosphate per 1 kg of soil.

Such a mixture is poured into a container and thoroughly moistened with water. Then they need to be put on the window, or they need to resort to the help of artificial lighting.

For 2-3 days, try to adhere to the following temperature regime: in the daytime - + 19 ... + 24 degrees, in the evening - + 15 ... + 17 degrees. After the seedlings appear, within 5 days, the temperature should be up to +18 degrees during the day, and up to +13 degrees at night.

This is to prevent stretching of the plants. It is possible to transplant to a permanent place when the seedlings reach a height of up to 20 cm. The stems should have at least 1-2 leaves, which will have a dark green color.

You need to transplant only in the evening, during cloudy or even when it rains. Watering should be done only using warm water.

Planting pumpkin seeds. How long does it take for the first shoots to appear

pumpkin seeds

What if this did not happen? The germination time of seeds depends on your planting material, on the correctness of its choice. Most often this happens about 6-7 days after planting the seeds.

Full germination of seeds occurs in about 10 days. If you are a beginner, then about half of the seeds will be able to sprout. The reason that the seeds did not germinate is that summer residents are not very careful about checking seeds for their germination.

Namely: test in salt water. To do this, prepare a saline solution (2.5%). Add 5-10 g of salt to a glass of water. Then place the seeds there and leave for about 5-7 minutes.

Any seeds that remain at the bottom of the glass can be used to plant seeds for growing. Select 10 seeds with a wet wipe. To do this, take napkins dipped in water, put them on a plate or saucer.

Then put the seeds there and cover with plastic wrap. Then remove to a warm place where the temperature will not be less than +20 degrees and not more than +25 degrees. But it is important to check the dishes from time to time for the first shoots.

Wipes that dry out will need to be moistened again. As soon as the first roots appear, the film can be removed.

The use of sawdust. They must be spilled with boiling water 2 or 3 times, with a difference of 1/3 or 1/2 hour. Damp sawdust should be put in a box. You need to "plant" seeds in the sawdust. Sprinkle dry sawdust on top of the seeds.

The boxes must be placed in a room where the temperature is from +25 to +27 degrees. It will be possible to look at the results in about 5-7 days.

If you do not get any effect, you can purchase new pumpkin seeds from the store and also check their germination rate. You can buy various stimulants in the store with which you can try to revive seeds that could not sprout. Approximately 10% of these seeds can be revived.

Planting pumpkin seeds in soil: tips and tricks for processing before planting

It is better to opt for those seeds that are capable of swelling in water. Those seeds that have not given any reaction will not be able to sprout.Before you plant the seeds in a permanent place, it is necessary to harden them.

To do this, put the seeds, which have been wrapped in a cloth, in the refrigerator for about 3-5 days. Then continue to germinate seeds for another 1 week at different temperatures.

First, place 9-10 hours in a place where the temperature is + 17 ... + 19 degrees, then lower the temperature by 2 degrees and keep it for another 13 hours. You need to repeat these steps about 4-5 times.

In order to carry out seed treatment, you can use one of several methods:

1) Take 2 g of manganese and dilute in 10 liters of water. In such a solution, you need to hold the seeds for 12 hours;

2) Add 45 g of soda to 1 bucket of water. Place the seeds and hold for approximately 10-12 hours;

3) Take 2 matchboxes from wood ash or fly ash and dilute in warm water with a volume of 8 liters. This mixture must be left to infuse for 2 days. Then place the seeds for 5 hours in such a solution;

4) If you want to increase the similarity percentage by 20-25%, you need to take honey (1 tsp), ash (1 tsp), propolis (1 tsp), dilute the ingredients in 500 ml of warm water ... Place in such a solution for 2 hours;

5) Cut the leaves of the agave in the area of ​​its curved part. Put pumpkin seeds inside for about 2-24 hours. This is a good way to increase seed germination;

6) Add 1 tsp to 1 liter of water. nitrophosphate;

7) If you are in favor of environmentally friendly products, then these methods will not work for you. You will need 1/4 tsp. sodium humate and dilute in 1 liter of water. You can buy zircon and hellene and follow the steps outlined in the instructions.

In order to improve germination, you can apply the following mixture: you need to take 1 liter of water and 0.5-1 g of molybdenum-acid ammonium (it can be replaced with zinc sulfate (0.4 g), copper sulfate (0.05 g), methylene blue (0.4 g).

While this can have a positive effect on the plant, overdose can be tolerated and negatively affected the plant.

8) You can take honey (0.5 tsp) and dilute in 200 ml of water. Use this mixture to process all the seeds. You will receive a yield stimulation of about 14%;

9) An alcoholic solution of propolis (1 tsp), which must be dissolved in water, has also proven itself well.

If you can do it right, you can get your hands on good quality seeds that will bring you a rich and healthy pumpkin harvest.