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  • #1

    Pumpkin seeds question.

    Hi,
    I saved some of my pumpkin seeds and have them on a piece of kitchen towel on a plate. They were turned so they wouldn't stick to the paper.
    But now I have noticed several are turning white. Also they seem to be loosing like a clear layer of film off them.
    Are they ok or should they be chucked?
    Not all of them are like this just some.
    Thanks
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  • #2
    The clear layer of film is the dried membrane - I just rub it off and store the seeds with a silica gel packet in the jar. My seeds always go whiter as they dry. I have found the best seeds are ones which are fatter - the non-viable ones are flat with no substance inside.
    Whooops - now what are the dogs getting up to?

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    • #3
      Did you hand pollinate to ensure they didn't cross pollinate, NoviceGrower?

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      • #4
        If they are the naked type of seeds for eating, the clear layer of film is all that's left of the seed coat, so it's perfectly normal. Usually the seeds are dark green, but I think I have seen some white ones.

        I don't know if it's a genetic difference, but if you are planning to re-sow some of the seeds, maybe you could decide to select only the white ones or the non-white ones to try and get a more uniform type.
        Last edited by Zelenina; 11-11-2014, 03:58 AM. Reason: because I wanted to

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        • #5
          Originally posted by Scarlet View Post
          Did you hand pollinate to ensure they didn't cross pollinate ?
          'cause if you didn't, you're not guaranteed to get the same type as what you grew this year
          All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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          • #6
            I didn't pollinate them by hand. But the only thing they have had with them is a few runner beans.
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            • #7
              Originally posted by noviceveggrower View Post
              I didn't pollinate them by hand. But the only thing they have had with them is a few runner beans.
              They will cross freely and their new offspring can often be inedible or not produce fruit at all. - insects/bees etc will pollinate them for you, you may not be growing something else but your neighbours will.

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              • #8
                Not worth saving then?
                sigpic

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                • #9
                  No, I wouldn't spend the time or the space on them to be honest

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Zelenina View Post
                    If they are the naked type of seeds for eating, the clear layer of film is all that's left of the seed coat, so it's perfectly normal. Usually the seeds are dark green, but I think I have seen some white ones.

                    I don't know if it's a genetic difference, but if you are planning to re-sow some of the seeds, maybe you could decide to select only the white ones or the non-white ones to try and get a more uniform type.
                    I've found all squash seeds to be white and as they dry out they all get paler. The green pumpkin seed we see in the shops that are sold to eat have had their white casing (hull) removed. Personally when we eat ours at home we eat the lot.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Scarlet View Post
                      I've found all squash seeds to be white and as they dry out they all get paler. The green pumpkin seed we see in the shops that are sold to eat have had their white casing (hull) removed.
                      No actually, many of the seeds sold for eating come from naked seed varieties, also called oil seed pumpkins or Styrian pumpkins. They don't have a white seed casing, just a transparent membrane. But I don't know if that's the type nvg has. Some other kinds have a white seed case and a transparent membrane.

                      What variety are yours nvg?
                      Last edited by Zelenina; 11-11-2014, 10:12 AM. Reason: unnecessary comma

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Scarlet View Post
                        They will cross freely and their new offspring can often be inedible or not produce fruit at all. - insects/bees etc will pollinate them for you, you may not be growing something else but your neighbours will.
                        I saved the seeds from some courgettes a few years ago to plant the following year. The resulting plants were lovely and healthy and fruit set was good. Sadly I had commited this schoolboy error! The fruit produced tasted rank and was full of seeds

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                        • #13
                          If you haven't hand pollinated them (and that means isolating the male flowers as well as the females) I wouldn't do anything other than eat the seeds.

                          If you have space for possibly amazing, but more probably yukky, crossbreeds that's different - some people have huge plots/gardens. I don't, so I only save seeds I am sure will be true to type.
                          http://mudandgluts.com - growing fruit and veg in suburbia

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by noviceveggrower View Post
                            I didn't pollinate them by hand. But the only thing they have had with them is a few runner beans.
                            That would make a novel cross! Pumpkins hanging in bunches from a beanpole wigwam!

                            I still have my pumpkin seeds to use yet as i haven't even cut it open. It was hand pollinated with a male flower from the same plant.

                            I rather fancy salted pumpkin seeds, like peanuts. How do iI do that? I presume I need to roast them and cover them with salt?
                            My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
                            to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

                            Diversify & prosper


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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Snadger View Post
                              I rather fancy salted pumpkin seeds, like peanuts. How do iI do that? I presume I need to roast them and cover them with salt?
                              Yes, exactly that - really simple and they are delicious!

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