[owein]

Can anyone offer any suggestions please? I am having problems getting my squash seeds to germinate. I'm using a heated propogator on the window sill of a south facing plant shed. I'm trying Crown prince, sunburst and jack o lantern pumpkin. A couple have germinated - one is even looking quite big but I've sown about 10 seeds with nothing happening. It has been very dull here.

Am  bit fed up as its my favourite veg. :cry:

Thanks

[mrsbaggins]

I am a complete beginner to growing anythging but knew I wanted some squash. Sowed some small sweet dumpling onesabout 6 weeks ago indoors and not a thing happened. Bought some more seeds and planted those and they have started . One is about 2 inches high and is like a jack and the bean stalk the others have just literally popped their heads up but the original ons still have not shown so guess for some reason they were duds although they were unwins which i figured was a reputable brand

[richyrich7]

How you planting the seeds? they should be planted on there edge length ways if thats makes sense I've found that laying them flat I loose far more than edge plantings almost 100% everytime on their edge. Don't over water just damp not sopping wet. Bottom heat helps with most plants.

[millie C]

I have found that that whole family (I think they're the same family anyway!) don't germinate all that reliably - even in my greenhouse in a heated propogator - squash, courgettes, round courgettes all seem the same, but tried a second planting of them all and they went away like wild fire - maybe it could be light levels - who knows (I'm sure someone more knowlegeable will thankfully!)

[gobs]

     Squash problems. Sorry, I can't help myself. Triffids, the lot of them.   :twisted:

Try again, it's warmer and lighter, but I never had any germination problems with any, seed might be not good enough. Over-sow.

[Ice]

I sowed 10 seeds from a supermarket butternut and have 10 healthy plants.  It must have been at least four weeks ago, in ordinary potting compost, laid horizontally and in the greenhouse.  They have only just sprouted.  Mind you I did bubble wrap them in three layers every night.  Did the same last year but they didn't do well in the very wet summer we had.

[compostqueen]

with Crown Prince seeds you only get five seeds in the packet so difficult to oversow    They're prolific though once you get them going and I reckon one of the best, my fave I think.  Those Sunbursts are gorgeous - pick them golf ball sized  

[vegmandan]

How you planting the seeds? they should be planted on there edge length ways if thats makes sense I've found that laying them flat I loose far more than edge plantings almost 100% everytime on their edge. Don't over water just damp not sopping wet. Bottom heat helps with most plants.

Can't agree more.

Just shove the seed slightly under the surface of your compost edgeways and water lightly then chuck it in a propagator and you should be fine.

I managed to get mine germinated in 4 days this year ,2 to a pot doing it this way so I've had to nip off the other seedling in every pot.

No doubt If I'd just sown 1 to each pot then none of them would have germinated  :shock:

[DD.]

I managed to get mine germinated in 4 days this year ,2 to a pot doing it this way so I've had to nip off the other seedling in every pot.

No doubt If I'd just sown 1 to each pot then none of them would have germinated  :shock:

This is one of the reasons why I always end up with too many plants, I hate to chose between one or the other when there's two healthy ones in the pot. I usually end up taking one out gently & transplanting it!

[owein]

Thanks for the replies, I had been sowing the seed on its edge but suspect I may have been watering a bit heavily. Will try again.

[compostqueen]

water the pot initially then don't water again til they've germinated and or you're potting them on. You only need enough water to moisten the compost.  I stand the pot in water (use a pot for big seeds - well I do) after sowing and let it soak up the water, then put it to drain before putting it in the prop.  I do it after as the compost tends to be messy if you wet it beforehand  

[richyrich7]

Quick tip is to squeeze a little compost between your 2 fingers, if you see moisture then its damp enough.