OldFart
Well-Known Member
I posted a thread about this 14 yrs ago but wanted some new "updated" info. More comments about soaking seeds? THANKS
Soaking Seeds
- Thread starter OldFart
- Start date
I soak my okra seeds. It certainly helps
DoubleRidge
Well-Known Member
I need to try this. Always read it speeds up germination with larger seeds but I have never done it.
Never tried it. Let us know how it goes.
Wrangler95
Well-Known Member
I bet it works but never tried it.I read a story years ago that said to put seeds in a micro-wave oven for ten seconds to get seeds to sprout quicker but didnt try it!
DaveB
Well-Known Member
Seeds with hard outsides, like watermelon, cantaloupe, some squash, definitely germinate at a higher rate if you overnight soak-8 hours is plenty-and then plant in ground.
As an example.....from your memory in the fields and around your home if you have red or white oaks--do the acorns germinate if they are on the deck? Driveway? sidewalk? But the ones buried in your garden by squirrels get wet and germinate at high rates.
Water is water I have never heated it for this process. And since newspapers are kind of hard to come by, the brown paper packing stuff you get free from amazonia will suffice.
As an example.....from your memory in the fields and around your home if you have red or white oaks--do the acorns germinate if they are on the deck? Driveway? sidewalk? But the ones buried in your garden by squirrels get wet and germinate at high rates.
Water is water I have never heated it for this process. And since newspapers are kind of hard to come by, the brown paper packing stuff you get free from amazonia will suffice.
I've soaked okra seeds in bleach water before planting them. I had nearly 100% sprout too after planting. Nearly 80% eaten by rabbits and birds before they got over 4" high tho! 
DoubleRidge
Well-Known Member
I planted first round okra seeds in raised bed to early and got maybe 30% germination. Then started some more okra seed in starter trays. So far nothing has germinated? Never had any issue with okra? After reading this post I watched a video where a guy soaked okra seed in warm water for a few hours then placed seed in a damp paper towl and stored them in a ziploc bag. Placed bag in warm area. Within couple days he plants the ones that germinate and tosses the one that dont...I've never had to do this but Im going to try it so I can check the germination rate of the seed I have.
I always heard that okra needs warm soil to germinate. Planting too early will have poor results. I've soaked okra for 24 hours in water, sometimes longer and did well. I've also given them a 30 second soak in bleach then rinsed them. I heard about the bleach from someone else. Also heard keeping the seed in the freezer before planting is good.
I've not planted okra long but the first year I think I soaked over night and they done fine. Think I soaked 2-3 days this year and they came up good. The seeds have a hard shell and need softened to do well. Okra also likes warm soil. This is the earliest I've ever planted okra as I usually wait until this weekend.
DoubleRidge
Well-Known Member
We store our seed in freezer but I do believe the cool nights and cool soil is why we struggled this year....everything else is doing good but the okra has struggled....Ill give soaking the seeds a try.
DoubleRidge
Well-Known Member
Yeah....considering the cooler nights we were having...I planted it to early...makes sense.
Okra likes 70 degree nights. Learned my lesson years ago.
Also, I soak all my seeds overnight. It's a win imo.
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We always soak our corn/bean seeds overnight in non-chlorinated water.
Idk if it really helps, but as dry as it was this year when we planted- it almost had to help.
Idk if it really helps, but as dry as it was this year when we planted- it almost had to help.
DaveB
Well-Known Member
Having an up and down year with cantaloupe from seeds. Variety, source, moon phase, does not matter. 1 of 20 is about my success. Wife is somewhat displeased.
I routinely soak pumpkin, watermelon, and most squash seeds in shallow saucer inbetween layers of plain as you can get paper. Recently my Daughter delivered some food and the kraft-looking bag was just about perfect.
Technique is to wet bottom layer of paper; not soaking wet, but not just damp. Place seeds not touching one another. Add a paper layer. Spray bottle of water-old windex bottle works perfect-and keep top layer wet without flooding bottom.
Forgot. Room temp must be 70 or above.
Start early in day, soak for 8 hours, plant in ground according to specs. Yes I use containers but I truly hate them. So have your objective location ready to go.
This extra work generally produces a near perfect germination. on 5/30 I planted 5 containers with seeds for 100-200 pound pumpkins. I soaked them from around 5:45 AM to 2:30 PM. 4 days later 2 sprouts. 2 more days remaining 3 sprouted. All were transplanted one week later and are doing fine with the heat (no shade).
Did much the same with my Carolina Gray seeds. Not as good results but over 90%. Burpee squash are doing great but to my surprise, cheapo seeds NOT soaked are miserable. Soaking a few today and planting this afternoon.
I routinely soak pumpkin, watermelon, and most squash seeds in shallow saucer inbetween layers of plain as you can get paper. Recently my Daughter delivered some food and the kraft-looking bag was just about perfect.
Technique is to wet bottom layer of paper; not soaking wet, but not just damp. Place seeds not touching one another. Add a paper layer. Spray bottle of water-old windex bottle works perfect-and keep top layer wet without flooding bottom.
Forgot. Room temp must be 70 or above.
Start early in day, soak for 8 hours, plant in ground according to specs. Yes I use containers but I truly hate them. So have your objective location ready to go.
This extra work generally produces a near perfect germination. on 5/30 I planted 5 containers with seeds for 100-200 pound pumpkins. I soaked them from around 5:45 AM to 2:30 PM. 4 days later 2 sprouts. 2 more days remaining 3 sprouted. All were transplanted one week later and are doing fine with the heat (no shade).
Did much the same with my Carolina Gray seeds. Not as good results but over 90%. Burpee squash are doing great but to my surprise, cheapo seeds NOT soaked are miserable. Soaking a few today and planting this afternoon.
