skip to main content

Saving Buckwheat Seeds

yolos - 8a Ga. Brooks

8 years ago

Below is a picture of the flower stalks of Buckwheat. I am trying to save some seed but I am afraid to wait too long to harvest them. So far, I have been checking them each day to see if they are falling off the stalk. So, will they fall off if I don't harvest them at just the right time.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

User
8 years ago
you have plenty to harvest now. Get the black seeds, there will be chaf too but that will blow off. I let mine set out on the covered patio to make sure they are dry. Then I dump them all in a can for next year. You might find collecting takes a week or two. I gently grab where the seeds are and gently pull catching the seeds in my hand. Sort of like stripping off the seeds.
yolos - 8a Ga. Brooks
Original Author
8 years ago
Just to make sure I understand you - You are saying to pluck the black seeds off now and leave the rest of the flower head to continue producing harvestable seeds.??
Related Discussions
No Seeds, No Seed Saving-Call to Boycott Monsanto's Seminis Seeds
Q
Comments (2)
digdirt, I took the addy directly from the article. I'm not sure why it doesn't go there now. My sole intention was to share information about seeds with conscientious growers. This looked like an appropriate forum for the topic, controversial as it may be. I'm new here, so if I've offending anyone for posting inappropriately, I apologize. After researching this issue however, I certainly do not apologize for being non-objective. Thank you for the feed back.
...See More
Looking for Buckwheat Seeds
Q
Comments (3)
Don't know which varieties you're looking for, but Seedhunt has 2 varieties of pink flowered ones. Scroll down to Eriogonum. wanda Here is a link that might be useful: seedhunt
...See More
Saving Marigold Seeds - And Other Flower Seeds In General
Q
Comments (11)
Hi again, Being I would have to see the flower, it is hard to say. But since they came out easy, maybe. It isn't that they are drying in the dead flower, they are ripening. When the flower is finished, the seeds are starting to develop. How long depends on the type of flower. For some it is very quick, 4 O'Clocks come to mind. Other seem to take forever to ripen. When flowers like marigolds are finished, the seeds as you know ripen in the base of where the flower was. You have to wait for the base to dry up before taking the seeds out to ensure they have properly ripened. So the whole process is sort of like a pregnancy. The flower blooming part is when the sex happens. Then the seed ripening time is like a baby developing. If you remove the seeds too soon, they haven't developed properly. It is like a premature birth. The drying once you remove the seeds, is because there is a residual amount of moisture in them. If you store them before it is gone, you risk the chance of moisture collecting and causing mold which kills the seed. Hope that makes sense, Remy
...See More
Better to buy OP seed or to save seed from your best plants/fruits?
Q
Comments (1)
I don't think that is an oversimplification - I hear that's how some OP varieties have been improved over time. The reverse could easily happen as well by carrying on the characteristics of a weak plant. We save seeds only from varieties and fruits that taste great, selecting from the strongest plants. Our best germinating seeds are from seeds we've saved. We store them in an airtight plastic tub with a desiccant, kept in the fridge. 10-20% humidity and 40F.
...See More
User
8 years ago
yes. i harvest seed over 2 - 3 week period. you will know because there will be less flowers so less seeds. Then the plant starts to look thin. That's when I pull them out. I use this as ground cover for my veggie raised beds and to keep the bees happy.
yolos - 8a Ga. Brooks
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for your help meyerk9. I went out this morning between rain showers and harvested a few seeds. I will wait until they dry in the sun before harvesting any more seeds.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: California Buckwheat Pleases Pollinators

By Debbie Ballentine

Beneficial insects go wild for this drought-tolerant plant’s summer flowers, while seed heads feed critters foraging in the cold

Houzz Interview: Miss Mustard Seed’s Charming Pennsylvania Home

GARDENING GUIDES How to Plant a New Lawn From Seed

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Choose from more grass varieties and save money over sod by starting your lawn from seed

CONTAINER GARDENS 8 Easy Container Plants to Grow From Seed

Get beautiful blooms and herbs in summer by starting these choice garden picks from seed in spring

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Get Along With Less Lawn — Ideas to Save Water and Effort

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Ditch the mower and lower your water bill while creating a feast for the eyes with diverse plantings and gathering places

LIFE The Top 5 Ways to Save Water at Home

Get on the fast track to preserving a valuable resource and saving money too with these smart, effective strategies

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Unthirsty Plants Help You Save Water in Style

By Bruce Parker

Spend less effort and money on your landscape with drought-tolerant and native plants that liven up your yard

SHOP HOUZZ Houzz Products: Save a Taste of Summer

Can't bear to part with the flavors of summer peaches, berries and tomatoes? Then jam on it!

MOST POPULAR Summer Crops: How to Grow Sunflowers

By Marianne Lipanovich

Savor snack-tastic sunflower seeds once the radiant blooms have faded — if the birds have saved you any, that is

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Eriogonum Arborescens

By Debbie Ballentine

Plant Santa Cruz Island buckwheat for its striking ornamental appeal. It also provides important wildlife habitat

Sponsored

Kuhns Contracting, Inc.

26 Reviews

Central Ohio's Trusted Home Remodeler Specializing in Kitchens & Baths

More Discussions

Seed storage question

1