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Apr 18, 2015 1:02 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Dora
Calgary (Zone 3a)
Bulbs Winter Sowing Seed Starter Roses Lilies Clematis
Cat Lover Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Garden Ideas: Level 1
I am soaking some cucumber and squash seeds before planting indoors, and am wondering how long they should be soaked - usually I just do them for a couple of hours, but I noticed sweet peas should be soaked about 24 hours, and that got me wondering.
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Apr 19, 2015 3:35 AM CST
Moderator
Name: Allison
NJ (Zone 6a)
Charter ATP Member Forum moderator I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Dog Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
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I don't think I ever soaked mine.. sweet peas need a soaking for sure
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Apr 19, 2015 8:19 AM CST
Name: Larry
Enterprise, Al. 36330 (Zone 8b)
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Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Region: Alabama
I soaked my overnight and it seems to have worked out OK. I don't think 24 hours will hurt them, but I don't know how much is actually the optimum length of time.
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Apr 19, 2015 12:03 PM CST
Name: Rick Corey
Everett WA 98204 (Zone 8a)
Sunset Zone 5. Koppen Csb. Eco 2f
Frugal Gardener Garden Procrastinator I helped beta test the first seed swap Plant and/or Seed Trader Seed Starter Region: Pacific Northwest
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This is pure speculation, I didn't even "read it on the Internet": If you do want to soak some seeds longer than overnight, maybe soak them IN WATER overnight, then pour them in a thin layer between two sheets of coffee filter or paper towel, and only MOISTEN that.

Spending too long underwater might drown a seed that woke up quickly and needed oxygen to continue growing. But it could get enough oxygen if only one thickness of paper towel was over it. A damp paper towel would still let it imbibe water freely.
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Apr 19, 2015 1:10 PM CST
Name: woofie
NE WA (Zone 5a)
Charter ATP Member Garden Procrastinator Greenhouse Dragonflies Plays in the sandbox I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
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I've never soaked cucumber or squash seeds and they generally sprout very quickly. Sweet peas (and peas in general) definitely do best soaked overnight, tho. I do the paper towel bit that Rick mentioned when I have seeds I'm not sure are viable.
Confidence is that feeling you have right before you do something really stupid.
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Apr 19, 2015 5:14 PM CST
Name: Rick R.
Minneapolis,MN, USA z4b,Dfb/a
Garden Photography The WITWIT Badge Seed Starter Wild Plant Hunter Region: Minnesota Hybridizer
Garden Sages I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Remember too, that any seed that imbibes water by any method becomes tender in comparison. Handle with care!!!
When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the losers. - Socrates
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Apr 19, 2015 9:18 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Dora
Calgary (Zone 3a)
Bulbs Winter Sowing Seed Starter Roses Lilies Clematis
Cat Lover Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Garden Ideas: Level 1
Many thanks. I was hoping soaking them would accelerate the process. I've been planting seedlings all day - I think I've overdone the seeds this year. Good thing I have to work tomorrow so I can get some rest.
Dora
Last edited by dorab Apr 20, 2015 12:17 PM Icon for preview
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Apr 20, 2015 7:57 AM CST
Name: Caroline Scott
Calgary (Zone 4a)
Bulbs Winter Sowing Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Peonies Lilies Charter ATP Member
Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
Dora, you can never over do the seed sowing!
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Apr 20, 2015 12:24 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Dora
Calgary (Zone 3a)
Bulbs Winter Sowing Seed Starter Roses Lilies Clematis
Cat Lover Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Garden Ideas: Level 1
No Caroline. I don't have the space, indoors or out, and have used 15 years' accumulation of 2 inch pots as well as all my seeding mix. The only reason I have space under my lights is because the weather is so good the tomatoes have gone outside during the day. I've also started annuals indoors, and once they're ready to be pricked out, the cucumbers and squash had better be ready to go outside as well, because there won't be space under the lights for them.
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