Produce > Edible Plants
Seed Saving Circle 2021
galina:
Senposai seems to have a second life. I harvested seeds which I was very pleased about, but the plants did not perish. I cut off the flowering stems that had dry seed pods on them, rather than pulling up the whole plants and with the cooler autumn weather, they have put on a lot of secondary growth. Both from the ground (from scattered seeds perhaps?), and from extra shoots that are trying to flower now. These are smaller rosettes with mini broccoli type buds.
Still feeding us well. I wonder whether the winter cold will put an end to the bounty or, if they survive, how 'perennial' they might be from dropped seeds and shoots developing as a consequence of the main flowering shoots having been cut off. Love Senposai - it is such a rewarding veg.
JanG:
I sowed mine later - in mid-June. I have a very healthy row of large green leaves. In my case, too, it will be interesting to see whether the leaves remain lush and edible over winter. Presumably they will flower in late spring and I’ll follow your method, Galina, of cutting off shoots rather than pulling up plants.
There will also be the question of what other brassicas they might cross with.
galina:
Might cross with just about everything, given its mustard and cabbage ancestry.
Vetivert:
Senposai is the same species as rapeseed and swedes (Brassica x napus) so would presumably cross with those, and probably also the parent species B. oleracea and B. rapa but from what I've read it would be at a greatly reduced rate. A Virginian farmer says it is cold hardy down to -11C.
No wonder the seed pods stayed alive and green for so long last season, as the plant itself had no intention of dying back. Unfortunately I pulled up the whole plants with the seed harvest. It could possibly make a continuous broccolini crop, which would be a joy to behold. Enjoy the volunteers, they won't stop coming :tongue3:
Next season I'll start reselection for the leaves I find most appealing, and to eliminate the hairs found on some of them.
JanG:
My guess is that my Senposai might well flower at the same time as the rapeseed with which I’m surrounded here! We’ll see.
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