Topic: Seed Sharing Circle 2014?

[goodlife]

I shall wait for while to see if anybody else is interested..but otherwise I'll PM you later on....

[sparrow]

If I may...peas don't cross that easily so you don't have to 'isolate' them.. If you are growing more than one type chilli and pepper...you may want to 'isolate' their flowers to get true to type seeds.
BUT...you selection of varieties sound good and should be easy enough for 'newbie' saver
BE WARNED!...you have just stepped to a slippery slope and you about to get infected with seed savers fever

Good point - thanks! I thought the rocotos couldn't cross, being of a different family. I've checked and I'll definitely bag them.

[Jayb]

Rocoto don't cross with other chillies outside of their Pubescens species, eg Jalapeno, but they will cross with others of their own variety. Alberto Locoto are a lovely variety, and I've found them easy to grow and productive. They are too hot for me really, but I've just got a soft spot for them because they are so easy and attractive plants. Unless you are growing several varieties of Rocoto there's no need to bag.

[markfield rover]

Goodlife I have at least three good pinches of seed so please feel free, I could show you what my 'diamond packets' look like.

[Robert_Brenchley]

I'd be glad of a few of the Portuguese seeds if there are any left. They told me it's a couve tronchuda type, but since it's been grown here it should be hardier than the Portuguese ones I couldn't overwinter a few years ago. Someone told me to bury them completely to get them through; I may try it yet!

[goodlife]

I'll let you have the Portugese seeds Robert...I still got little bit left from last year.. 

[markfield rover]

Plenty for both of you and enough for another.  P.M and I'll do the honours.

[galina]

If I may...peas don't cross that easily so you don't have to 'isolate' them.. If you are growing more than one type chilli and pepper...you may want to 'isolate' their flowers to get true to type seeds.
BUT...you selection of varieties sound good and should be easy enough for 'newbie' saver
BE WARNED!...you have just stepped to a slippery slope and you about to get infected with seed savers fever

Good point - thanks! I thought the rocotos couldn't cross, being of a different family. I've checked and I'll definitely bag them.

This is a bit off topic. but - I have finally grown my rocoto peppers last year and had a  wonderful surprise.  The plants have a bit of frost resistance!!!  I had them in the greenhouse which is just about in the warmest spot in the garden and of course this winter has not been very cold (and I hope it won't get really cold now!) And - they are still alive!  The tomatillo plants right next to them were killed by frost, the rocoto lost a bit of top growth but the majority of the plants looks ok and I have real hopes that these plants will carry on.  In fact, I have harvested a red pepper today!  Not that hot in this weather, but nice and 'warm' thinly sliced in salad.

I was also surprised just how tall they get!

I didn't think you had to bag them either unless you had another variety of the same species.

[goodlife]

Code: [Select]

The plants have a bit of frost resistanceYes they do.. ..and that is down to this species originate from high altitudes and they actually prefer to have period of 'colder' days and nights to stimulate the fruiting.
I don't want to sound 'anal' about cross pollination issue... but according this page.. http://www.fatalii.net/Growing_chile_peppers/Breeding..pubecens=rocotos do cross with many other species for breeding..though it is another thing how easily this happen when it is left to the nature and no cotton buds are involved..AND not able to cross with annuum's group will cut out change of cross pollinating with the most common chillies and peppers.
I didn't actually know myself if they could..or not... be able to cross pollinate..I just assumed all chillies were able to cross pollinate each others, so I had a look to educate myself.
Little bit of more knowledge never hurt..it just start to be slightly crowded in my head..not everything 'soak' in anymore..

[Jayb]

Still a bit off topic on Rocotos,

I don't want to sound 'anal' about cross pollination issue... but according this page.. http://www.fatalii.net/Growing_chile_peppers/Breeding..pubecens=rocotos do cross with many other species for breeding..though it is another thing how easily this happen when it is left to the nature and no cotton buds are involved..AND not able to cross with annuum's group will cut out change of cross pollinating with the most common chillies and peppers.
I didn't actually know myself if they could..or not... be able to cross pollinate..I just assumed all chillies were able to cross pollinate each others, so I had a look to educate myself.
Little bit of more knowledge never hurt..it just start to be slightly crowded in my head..not everything 'soak' in anymore..

I followed your link but it came up as 'not found' I'd like to read more. I haven't to my knowledge, had an issue with them crossing, please if anyone's seed wasn't as it should have been let me know.

This is a bit off topic. but - I have finally grown my rocoto peppers last year and had a  wonderful surprise.  The plants have a bit of frost resistance!!!  I had them in the greenhouse which is just about in the warmest spot in the garden and of course this winter has not been very cold (and I hope it won't get really cold now!) And - they are still alive!  The tomatillo plants right next to them were killed by frost, the rocoto lost a bit of top growth but the majority of the plants looks ok and I have real hopes that these plants will carry on.  In fact, I have harvested a red pepper today!  Not that hot in this weather, but nice and 'warm' thinly sliced in salad.

I was also surprised just how tall they get!

I didn't think you had to bag them either unless you had another variety of the same species.

Interesting you say about your Rocoto peppers over wintering.

The Alberto Locoto's I had are long gone but they were out in the garden. One of the Rocoto Aji Largo growing in the poly tunnel border may pull through, the others died. Manzano Orange are in pots in the other poly tunnel and have done much better, not so wet as being in the border. Plants are tall approx 6-7' but in a sprawling way.

[goodlife]

Lets try again...'capsicum crossability matrix'.. http://www.fatalii.net/Growing_chile_peppers/Breeding

[goodlife]

Lets try again...'capsicum crossability matrix'.. http://www.fatalii.net/Growing_chile_peppers/Breeding

...and to add to my previous post now that I've actually looked that page properly... ...looks like there is VERY little chance of cross pollination if the female plant is rocoto. Being on the receiving end with pollen for cross pollination is limited to couple of species
I must learn to keep my mouth in order.... 

[Jayb]

Really helpful table 

I must learn to keep my mouth in order.... 

No, it's a top link which you might not have posted otherwise, and I wouldn't have bought some more chilli seeds
So much or trying to cut down on chillies!

[galina]

I forgot to add Galina has kindly agreed to help out with this year’s Circle. And after the delays of last year (mostly me!) I'd like to propose we finish our 2014 circle in January of 2015 which should give a chance for all seeds to be harvested and dried in good time and avoid the Christmas period. Seeds would need to be sent in by mid-January to be returned at the end of that month, ready for seed sowing in February.

Sorry, forgot to comment.  This just means that should JayB fall ill again during January 2015, to keep to her time schedule, everybody can send envelopes and seeds to my address and I will return the divvied up seed parcels.  Having organised back-up in advance, will almost guarantee that you will be fit and well in early 2015!    

I think this is a good schedule, because we can sort our seeds during the quieter days after the Christmas rush and get the envelope to start sowing first seeds just before February.  Still early enough for all seed types.  How do others feel about this schedule? 

[goodlife]

 

How do others feel about this schedule? 

 

[markfield rover]

Sounds tickety boo to me, thank you both.

[Jayb]

I’m very much hoping to save seed from Early Blood Turnip (beetroot) as I really like these and have found them quick and easy to grow and best of all very tasty. Plus I’m just about out of seeds to sow!!!! They are a Heritage variety dating back to the 1800’s. One thing is I’ve seen a bit of variation in leaf colour the last few years from plants grown from seeds from Irish Seed Savers and Seed Savers Exchange. They have ranged from green veined leaf to very dark red leaves. I’ve found a couple of leaf descriptions and I’m not sure which is correct?

[sparrow]

Just caught up on all this - thanks for all the rocoto info! :D

[Jayb]

Just caught up on all this - thanks for all the rocoto info! :D

Hope it's helpful 

[Jayb]

I potted up some tomato seedlings today including Ambrosia Gold - Last year I grew and was really impressed by these, a cherry tomato bred by J&L Select tomatoes. Fruits have an excellent sweet, fruity with a yummy tomato taste and that lovely funky Sungold smell to the leaves. I’m growing them again this year and if they are as good as I first thought - A strong contender for the circle. Perhaps a bit sweet for some but a winner I think if you love Sungold