I want to plant some of the following squash: Delicata, teacup, acorn, and butter nut. Can I take the seeds from a squash cut open today and plant them today? Must the seed mature through drying before it will germinate?
Answering my own question--- I just learned that butternut squash will germinate fresh from the fruit, so I presume the others will as well. I will at least give it a try with a teacup or delicata, as I don't know where to buy the seed locally otherwise. I just finished planting the butternut. Wish me luck!
A follow-up. I planted seed straight out of an acorn squash (could not find Delicata or teacup/dumpling squash in grocery). It came up so quickly! I have not yet even eaten the whole squash, yet its seeds have sprouted. The soil was very warm and I did my best to keep it moist. I think the warmth made it sprout so quickly. Planting this late, though, it will be October before the squash are likely ready. We have a long enough season, though, so I'm happy.
Joan, I did the same with an red apple. I was going to dry the seeds first. But when I cut through the apple I found that the seeds were already sprouting. I planted them in soil and now have 3 apple trees sprouting.