Topic: Seed Saving Circle 2017

[Jayb]

Hi Sunloving, I don't believe we have had Yellow Slovenian beans in the swap at all, so they would make a lovely addition  I've some growing in the poly tunnel, though mine are only starting out, but good to know they are doing well for you.

Potato flowers tend to self pollinate although crossing does occur, mostly down to bees and other insects. But as potatoes don't generally come out an exact match to the parent, I think it is fine to put in open pollinated tps seeds and if there might be a little stray pollen, all the better for added diversity :) Mizen sound a lovely variety and I'd be excited to grow tps from them.

[Jayb]

Must have been typing as you posted Galina 

[sunloving]

Thankyou both that's really e ncouraging x sunloving

[Hector]

Chillis are doing well....so will have a choice to offer (Aji Fantasy)  that overwintered well or Alfred Rocotto :) Mini white cukes or verde Courgettes....just waiting to see if Banana squash a goer :)

[Silverleaf]

I know I promised these last year (and failed to provide them!) but I absolutely definitely have a great harvest of Telephone peas to share!

[Jayb]

Glad you two posted, it's great to hear some crops are doing well this year :)
Lovely sounding selection Hector, looking forward to whatever you decide to put in.

Lol that's great news Silverleaf, I'm wanting to grow your selection of Telephone peas alongside Alderman, I know you rate them highly 

I've got quite a few varieties of beans on the go this year, though nothing near harvesting for seed yet! So fingers crossed.
My Tree Spinach patch is huge now, got to be at least 7'' tall!

[pumkinlover]

I have grown these from HSL for the swop but a bit unhappy about the spotty ones. I can't remember what they looked like in the packet when they came. Is there a problem with them like a disease ? Any ideas.

[Silverleaf]

I have grown these from HSL for the swop but a bit unhappy about the spotty ones. I can't remember what they looked like in the packet when they came. Is there a problem with them like a disease ? Any ideas.

Looks too regular to be disease, but I am by no means an expert.

It reminds me of the pattern on "maple" peas (like you see in Unity which Galina shared last year).

[galina]

I have grown these from HSL for the swop but a bit unhappy about the spotty ones. I can't remember what they looked like in the packet when they came. Is there a problem with them like a disease ? Any ideas.

The spotty ones are not the correct colour for Frueher Heinrich.  A few other varieties, for example Latvian Soup has such spotty markings.  It is definitely not a disease.  Yes Unity has it as well, but Unity seeds are larger.  These could be Latvian Soup (which is also a HSL variety). 

PS attached is a photo of Frueher Heinrich (aka Early Henry) seeds.  They are a few years old, but you should see the colour ok and they look just like your non-spotty ones, Pumpkinlover.  As peas are very unlikely to cross, I would just use the plain ones for the Circle.

[galina]

Here is Latvian Soup pea for comparison.  I think you had a simple mix-up. 

PS:  just remembered that they have different flowers too.  Frueher Heinrich is white and Latvian Soup is bicolour purple flowered.

[Jayb]

Perhaps the seeds were already mixed when they came to you, mistakes do happen. Handy in this case that the types are quite distinguishable and easy to seperate.  I think as Galina has said, the solid coloured ones are probably the correct ones and if you have enough of them for the circle, that will be great 

[pumkinlover]

Thanks for the information. I will see if there are enough. Otherwise I will grow next year to get more.
I would have noticed if they were a mixture when I sowed them so HSL not to blame
I  kept the different varieties seperate when planting but the plants had very different ideas.
Need another plan for next year!

[martinburo]

I have parsnip, turkish rocket and achocha seeds.

[markfield rover]

I have three types of bean which are pretty much countable and one just harvested , so uncrossing  fingers a little! I will just tease a bit by saying that DFB Emperor of Russia is the best bean I've grown!

[Robert_Brenchley]

I'm interested if there's still space, and I do have seeds this year! Sorry about the long absence, it's been a hell of a year, including my daughter nearly dying in childbirth, but we seem to have got through it more or less intact.

[Seacarrot]

Just looking for some guidance on what happens next folks, my seeds are dried and ready for packaging.

how many seeds are we aiming for in regards to variety's..?

I have beans and toms, and depending on numbers, peas...

[Jayb]

Oopsie I've been somewhat awol from a4a and gardening again, though apart from getting the flu (really floored me for a few weeks) this time I'm excited to say it's because I've been managing to get my life back into some sort of shape (kind of, small steps, but big for me), plus I've been led delightfully astray by Sunloving, though she may not know it! Have to admit I find this time of year always seems to be more of a struggle, the shortening days and colder temperatures just make day to day more of a slog, but so far so good. But still the shortest day can't come soon enough and I sooooooo look forward to when the days start to lengthen.......and those first flowers of spring, magic.


Loving the sound of what folks have been harvesting, exciting times  I'll pm everyone in the next few days, hopefully we will have a better idea of how many taking part etc.

[Jayb]

Forgot to say, I'm not sure yet which ones, but it is looking likely a bean year from me, I grew lots of varieties and many have done well, some of my favourites and also new to me varieties are looking like contenders, hope this suits. Lots of podding to be done and still some drying out!

[Silverleaf]

Just bagged up some lovage seeds for the circle. While researching for info to put on the labels I found out you can eat the roots as well as the leaves and stalks. I nibbled a couple of seeds and they taste good too.

Lovage doesn't seem to be that popular in the UK and I have no idea why because it's really useful for adding a savoury flavour to dishes, a bit like celery. Also my rabbits go crazy for it!

I also have a couple of Flat White Boer squash waiting to be cut open. I didn't hand-pollinate them but they were the only squash plants flowering at the time, and none of my neighbours grow squash - so I'm pretty sure they haven't crossed (but I can't 100% guarantee it). How strict are we about hand-pollination? Do you trust my bee population?  ;)

[sunloving]

Ooh I'm glad to be leading you astray jayb!  Have you had some soaping adventures! .? Hope it's gone well!  I'm not sure about what I might offer I'm still hoping to get some cinamon basil from my twigs and might add fireflame and sweetbite anyway as packs don't say f1 but under advisement. I need to root mizen seeds out of the bin after I tidied the crafts room yesterday and forgot what they were . I'm hooked on the swap as it was so brill last year to grow such a variety of new things some have become favourites like the tendril peas wow!  Can't wait to see what arrives! X sunlovingx