[MidlandBrewer]

As always this time of year see's every supermarket across the land selling rather small naff pumkins destined for childrens party lanterns instead of the kitchen table, I have to confess Ive picked up a couple myself to entertain my nephew and niece!

Is it worth saving the seeds from these to try grow next year?
Ive never 'harvested' pumkin seeds befor, whats the best way to do this and how would you recommend storing them till planting time?

Kr

David
 

[mumofstig]

I wouldn't save the seeds, because if they are f1 varieties they will not breed true next year. Rocket and Racer are the varieties often grown by farmers (Tozer seeds) and they are both f1 hybrids.

Next year you could end up with something that neither looks or tastes like a pumpkin, if you do.

[MidlandBrewer]

I wouldn't save the seeds, because if they are f1 varieties they will not breed true next year. Rocket and Racer are the varieties often grown by farmers (Tozer seeds) and they are both f1 hybrids.

Next year you could end up with something that neither looks or tastes like a pumpkin, if you do.

Thanks for the advice, garden center bought seeds it is then!

[greenjay]

I bought a reduced plant back in the spring, thinking it would be lovely for the grandson for halloween (if it grew.)
 was as pleased as punch 3 fruits about the size of footballs, just turning colour now. only for his mother to say they had already bought 1 from the supermarket ready for him! oh well pumpkin soup it will be. I am going to toast the seeds rather than save them with you all thinking they may well be f1.

[New shoot]

The halloween pumpkins, grown just for carving, are not the best to eat.  Ease of growing, the ability to grow without huge amounts of feed, uniform shape and a good colour are the main requirements for them, as the growers tend to leave them in a field to get on with it.

If you want an eating variety, the best one I have found so far is Rouge Vif D'Etampes.  Its a different shape but very pretty and tasty   

[maddave]

I did successfully grow a pumpkin plant from a pumpkin seed bought at Tesco one year. I saved a large quantity of seed whilst carving.  I cleaned, dried and then tried to germinate a good handful of them on moist kitchen paper.  Only one out for the lot germinated, which got sown.  This did produce a pumpkin which wasn't huge, a bit smaller than a football, but still not bad as I wasn't expecting anything to grow!

[MidlandBrewer]

The halloween pumpkins, grown just for carving, are not the best to eat.  Ease of growing, the ability to grow without huge amounts of feed, uniform shape and a good colour are the main requirements for them, as the growers tend to leave them in a field to get on with it.

If you want an eating variety, the best one I have found so far is Rouge Vif D'Etampes.  Its a different shape but very pretty and tasty 

I just got gifted some Rouge Vif D'Etampes seeds Can wait for spring now!