Interesting Info - at least to me.

JerryL · February 12, 2009

I recently bought an 1875 D. M. Ferry & Co’s catalogue. At the beginning and end of most categories, Bean, Cucumber, Pepper etc they have a bit of info about that category including “General Directions for Cultivation”.

I found a particularly interesting statement at the end of the Cucumber section:

“Cucumber, Melon, Squash, and all vine seeds, are considered best when two or three years old; they run less to vines, and bear earlier and more abundantly than fresh seeds.”

It might be worth trying to plant a few of my old Homemade Pickle Cucumber seeds along with the fresh seeds I ordered this year and see if their statement is true.

Sherry_AK · February 12, 2009

I've never heard this before. Interesting to me too! Let us know the result if you try it.

Sherry

rnewste · February 12, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryL

“Cucumber, Melon, Squash, and all vine seeds, are considered best when two or three years old; they run less to vines, and bear earlier and more abundantly than fresh seeds.”

Kind of a strange statement by a Company who makes their money by selling FRESH SEEDS!

Of course, back in 1875 they didn't have Ms. Bar Refaeli to adorn the front cover of their catalog....

..so I guess they had to rely on honesty instead.

Ray

Wi-sunflower · February 13, 2009

I don't know about cucs, but I often plant 2 and 3 year old seed for my squash and watermelon. I've never noticed any difference between the fresh vs older seed other than usually a bit less germination.

Carol

Andrey_BY · February 15, 2009

Yes, they are right. This is a natural fact about cucumbers for sure. There much more female (yielding) flowers when you grow 2-3 y.o. seeds!

maryinoregon · February 16, 2009

I had read this once. Can't remember where.

Tomaat · February 16, 2009

Thanks for the info, there is always new to learn

.

Medbury Gardens · February 16, 2009

I wonder if that applies to pumpkins also?

JerryL · February 17, 2009

Medbury

If it’s true at all I would think it would apply to pumpkins. Depending on were you read they are a gourd or a squash. Either way they are certainly a vine plant.

**nctomatoman** · February 17, 2009

There is a warning when considering information that is "old" - there is always a chance it is good info, but also a chance that it is an unproven theory or supposition based upon limited experience. A good example is that many of the older seed catalogs claim "our seed is taken from the first set or crown fruit melon, or tomato, or..." - this is prior to the advance on single plant, rather than single fruit selections.

February 12, 2009	#1
JerryL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: S.W. Ohio z6a Posts: 735	Interesting Info - at least to me. I recently bought an 1875 D. M. Ferry & Co’s catalogue. At the beginning and end of most categories, Bean, Cucumber, Pepper etc they have a bit of info about that category including “General Directions for Cultivation”. I found a particularly interesting statement at the end of the Cucumber section: “Cucumber, Melon, Squash, and all vine seeds, are considered best when two or three years old; they run less to vines, and bear earlier and more abundantly than fresh seeds.” It might be worth trying to plant a few of my old Homemade Pickle Cucumber seeds along with the fresh seeds I ordered this year and see if their statement is true. __________________ Jerry

February 15, 2009	#5
Andrey_BY Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Minsk, Belarus, Eastern Europe (Zone 4a) Posts: 2,278	Yes, they are right. This is a natural fact about cucumbers for sure. There much more female (yielding) flowers when you grow 2-3 y.o. seeds! __________________ 1 kg=2.2 lb , 1 m=39,37 in , 1 oz=28.35 g , 1 ft=30.48 cm , 1 lb= 0,4536 kg , 1 in=2.54 cm , 1 l = 0.26 gallon , 0 C=32 F Andrey a.k.a. TOMATODOR

February 17, 2009	#9
JerryL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: S.W. Ohio z6a Posts: 735	Medbury If it’s true at all I would think it would apply to pumpkins. Depending on were you read they are a gourd or a squash. Either way they are certainly a vine plant. __________________ Jerry

February 17, 2009	#10
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	There is a warning when considering information that is "old" - there is always a chance it is good info, but also a chance that it is an unproven theory or supposition based upon limited experience. A good example is that many of the older seed catalogs claim "our seed is taken from the first set or crown fruit melon, or tomato, or..." - this is prior to the advance on single plant, rather than single fruit selections. __________________ Craig

February 12, 2009	#2
Sherry_AK Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Alaska Zone 3/4 Posts: 1,857	I've never heard this before. Interesting to me too! Let us know the result if you try it. Sherry

February 13, 2009	#4
Wi-sunflower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,591	I don't know about cucs, but I often plant 2 and 3 year old seed for my squash and watermelon. I've never noticed any difference between the fresh vs older seed other than usually a bit less germination. Carol

February 16, 2009	#6
maryinoregon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 361	I had read this once. Can't remember where.

February 16, 2009	#7
Tomaat Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 154	Thanks for the info, there is always new to learn .

February 16, 2009	#8
Medbury Gardens Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Medbury, New Zealand Posts: 1,881	I wonder if that applies to pumpkins also?