Saving seeds
Donna Dot
7 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (11)
Turbo Cat (7a)
7 years agoDonna Dot
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Couple of onion sets going to seed, Can I save seed???
Comments (4)I'm going through old posts looking for something else and have seen several people ask this question so will chime in with my experience. I was told that you won't get what you expect and boy was that advice correct. At the time my garden was probably 2 miles from the nearest other garden, so cross pollination from other gardens was doubtful. From the seed off white ebeneezer onions I had all colors of the rainbow in the seedlings. None of which ever amounted to anything. I played around with them about 5 years before I finally let them go. It was a fun experiement but a waste of my gardening space. Maybe others have had a better experience but I think it all depends on the heritage of the onion you planted originally....See Moresaving seeds--can seeds get infected with salmonella?
Comments (12)Bleach can be used - and it really works - but bleach is way harsh. I use 3% hydrogen peroxide solution with impunity around seeds and plants. It doesn't seem to bother them at all. Not sure how effective H2O2 would be on salmonella, but I wouldn't be worrying much about it anyway. Remember, salmonella is already in the environment, just not in large quantities as in some poultry. Dennis...See MoreSaving seeds from tomato - I think Big Zebra - what do I do?
Comments (8)What's the best technique for drying? in sun or away from light? Should I refrigerate or just keep at room temp? Do I plant just like regular purchased seeds or do they need special steps first? Can you explain fermenting, please? Yes, just for me ... I've never really saved seeds before, as I only grow a dozen or so plants a year (mixed tomatoes and peppers) and like to mix it up some, but I wanted to try on these because obviously I don't have more for certain, since I purchased Mint Julep ... which I will be marking as possibly having other seed in the packet....See MoreSaving seeds of peas and beans
Comments (4)"1) How long do dry peas and beans remain viable for germination & growth? Will they be reasonably good next season?" If properly dried, placed in an air-tight container, and stored in a cool dry location, beans & peas will have good germination for at least 2-3 years. Some of my saved bean seed still has fair germination even after 6-7 years. If sealed in an air-tight container & refrigerated, the seeds will probably be good until they run out. *** If you use refrigerated or frozen storage, be sure to warm the container to room temperature before opening. Otherwise moisture can condense on the seeds, which will quickly destroy them. The same is true of seed received in the mail during freezing conditions. "2) If I want to save seeds from this year's plants, do I just let the pods go on maturing on the vines as long as possible or until they are brown and dry and then shell out the seeds?" If possible, allow the pods to dry on the plant before harvesting for seed. Be sure to keep those pods (and any shelled-out seeds) in a well-ventilated area, to prevent mold. If the seeds have dried for at least several weeks in a low-humidity environment, they can be stored. In a humid environment, the use of desiccant may be necessary for the seeds to reach the proper low moisture level. "3) If I grow several types of peas and their varieties (snow peas/snap peas/ shelling peas) and several types of beans and their varieties (Pole beans/long beans) would they cross pollinate, at least within the varieties, and the seeds will no longer be predictable? If cross pollination is a problem then is there a way to save pea and bean seeds true to the parent plant?" Beans & peas are both self-pollinating, but different varieties in the same species can cross if pollinators are active. In my experience, that is more likely with peas, perhaps due to their more conspicuous blossoms. You can reduce the chance of peas crossing by staggered plantings, 10-14 days apart, starting with the earliest & working toward the latest. Staggered plantings will work with bush beans too; but that is less effective with pole beans, since they flower over a longer period. For them, the distances quoted by @John D Zn6a PIT Pa will reduce crossing. I've used 20-30' between different pole beans for years, and have had less than 5% crossing (zero the last 2 years). Several other strategies can reduce crossing, such as the use of flowering crops in between, harvesting only pods from the first flowers (when pollinators may have been less active) or harvesting seed only from the center of the row. As a rule, you can assume seed is pure if you grow only one variety of each species. This includes peas (Pisum sativum), common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), limas (Phaseolus lunatus), runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus), and yardlong beans or cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata). The one caveat is that bees really like limas & runner beans, so if neighbors nearby grow a different variety, those still might cross to a limited degree. @katyajini, I admire the enthusiasm you show in your posts; you should have a great garden this year!...See MoreOkiedawn OK Zone 7
7 years agoAmyinOwasso/zone 6b
7 years agoMacmex
7 years agoTurbo Cat (7a)
7 years agoDonna Dot
7 years agoMacmex
7 years agoTurbo Cat (7a)
7 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESHow to Plant a New Lawn From Seed
Choose from more grass varieties and save money over sod by starting your lawn from seed
Full StoryCONTAINER GARDENS8 Easy Container Plants to Grow From Seed
Get beautiful blooms and herbs in summer by starting these choice garden picks from seed in spring
Full StoryFALL GARDENINGWhy You Should Let Your Garden Go to Seed
Take a moment to appreciate spent flower stalks in your late-summer garden and the benefits they provide
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNGet Along With Less Lawn — Ideas to Save Water and Effort
Ditch the mower and lower your water bill while creating a feast for the eyes with diverse plantings and gathering places
Full StoryLIFEThe 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
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES8 Unthirsty Plants Help You Save Water in Style
Spend less effort and money on your landscape with drought-tolerant and native plants that liven up your yard
Full StorySHOP HOUZZHouzz Products: Save a Taste of Summer
Can't bear to part with the flavors of summer peaches, berries and tomatoes? Then jam on it!
Full StoryMOST POPULARSummer Crops: How to Grow Sunflowers
Savor snack-tastic sunflower seeds once the radiant blooms have faded — if the birds have saved you any, that is
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESUnleash Your Guerilla Gardener
Toss some seed bombs around the yard for easy, beneficial plantings
Full Story
Okiedawn OK Zone 7