Tatume germination

habitat_gardener · June 20, 2011

I'm growing a bunch of cucurbits this year from seed -- 3-4 cucumber varieties, 3-4 squashes, and even a melon. They've all germinated fine except for Tatume. I'm wondering if Tatume requires special conditions or takes longer, or is especially appealing to slugs and snails. (I found a slug nestled in one Tatume pot before I saw any evidence of germination, even though I was using a mix of purchased media and was growing indoors!)

I bought my seeds this year from Sandhill and have tried 3 seeds per 4-inch pot twice, starting a month ago. All the other cucurbits got the same watering and light. I also got 3 seeds from the local seed library (this batch came from Baker Creek) and planted them directly in the garden, and nothing has sprouted yet, but it's been only a week.

Does the paper towel method work with cucurbits? I wonder if they'd go moldy more quickly. I have more seeds to play with, but it's getting late in the season.

habitat_gardener · July 1, 2011

Happy to say the second planting from Sandhill and the first planting from Baker Creek seeds have all sprouted! It probably helped to have temperatures in the 80s followed by an unseasonal drenching rain for the latter, which were direct seeded.

June 20, 2011	#1
habitat_gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California Central Valley Posts: 2,543	Tatume germination I'm growing a bunch of cucurbits this year from seed -- 3-4 cucumber varieties, 3-4 squashes, and even a melon. They've all germinated fine except for Tatume. I'm wondering if Tatume requires special conditions or takes longer, or is especially appealing to slugs and snails. (I found a slug nestled in one Tatume pot before I saw any evidence of germination, even though I was using a mix of purchased media and was growing indoors!) I bought my seeds this year from Sandhill and have tried 3 seeds per 4-inch pot twice, starting a month ago. All the other cucurbits got the same watering and light. I also got 3 seeds from the local seed library (this batch came from Baker Creek) and planted them directly in the garden, and nothing has sprouted yet, but it's been only a week. Does the paper towel method work with cucurbits? I wonder if they'd go moldy more quickly. I have more seeds to play with, but it's getting late in the season.

July 1, 2011	#2
habitat_gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California Central Valley Posts: 2,543	Happy to say the second planting from Sandhill and the first planting from Baker Creek seeds have all sprouted! It probably helped to have temperatures in the 80s followed by an unseasonal drenching rain for the latter, which were direct seeded.