Seed Saving

[Ian Pearson]

Those expensive seeds with only 5 in a packet are often F1 hybrids.
For those new to seed saving, F1s don't come true from seed.

[Ian Pearson]

[cjb02]

This is a good book about saving your own seeds. Back garden seed saving by Sue Stickland. I have it and it is easy to understand and practical. Covers lots of different veg you will find in the garden.

here at amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Back-Garden-Seed-Saving-Vegetable/dp/1899233156/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269462145&sr=1-1

and here at the book depository

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9781899233151/Back-Garden-Seed-Saving

CJB

[Robert_Brenchley]

Those expensive seeds with only 5 in a packet are often F1 hybrids.
For those new to seed saving, F1s don't come true from seed.

No, but if you save seed and keep selecting the best, you end up with your own, similar, variety.

[tonybloke]

Those expensive seeds with only 5 in a packet are often F1 hybrids.
For those new to seed saving, F1s don't come true from seed.

this is not true, a large percentage (up to 75%) will come true.

[Robert_Brenchley]

A lot of nonsense has been peddled about F1's, probably by seed companies which don't want people saving their seed. Seeds are sold as F1 which are nothing of the sort. They may or may not come true, but the results should be OK, and you just pick the ones you like to save the next generation of seed.

[tonybloke]

have a look here http://www.realseeds.co.uk/seedsavinginfo.html for techniques, and there's a handy download for all of  you newbies!! ;)

[Wilder]

OMG!!!!
my head is spinning!
Black Toms, Jeannine, ??? :) :) :)
( no wait I've grown Black Crim and got two (2) whole fruits from one plants LOL!)

so I may have a 75% cent chance of getting your guys hooked on Black chillis,
(you may have missed the point that the whole plant is BLACK, not just fruit, which is why I ridiculously paid ".49 for 5. That's like 50p a seed. OMGawd I'm a dope!)

[james1]

Thanks for the Link Tonybloke cheers  ;)

[Robert_Brenchley]

(you may have missed the point that the whole plant is BLACK, not just fruit, which is why I ridiculously paid ".49 for 5. That's like 50p a seed. OMGawd I'm a dope!)

Never mind, save seed for next year!

[no-lottie]

I guess I'm a bit more 'addicted' to the seed saving process than most, as I save most varieties of what I grow, with Tomatoes and Chillies/Peppers at the top of the list.

Is there a cure, because I bag my blossom too.  ::)

[Digeroo]

I have been developing my own strain of runner beans for some time now.  I have a very dry situation being on gravel and find that plants are very short of actual beans.  I started saving my own beans and within 3 years found that the product of saving the most product plants each year has produced beans that are better here.  I was surprised how quickly it happened I expected it to take years.

They have a good flavour though are not the best.  But what is the point in having 4 superb beans when I can have 50 good ones.  I think that seed companies are directing us to what is good for them but not necessary what is good for me.

I am not worried about cross polination with these beans.  What I want is long tender tasty beans.  Once a plant shows it is producing them it gets labelled and then I leave several pods. 

I would like to say it is cheaper but I have bought several other varieties this year.  Some new ones. 

[Mortality]

Don't anyone dare tell that newbie who likes black that there dozens of black tomatoes.   ::) ::)XXn Jeannine

I'm an ancient goth tell me about these black tomatoes, I like purple too  :P

[Robert_Brenchley]

Have a look through the list at POD http://www.plantsofdistinction.co.uk/acatalog/A-Z_of_Vegetables_TOMATO.html . There are several black ones, including a collection. The only one I've tried is Black Seaman, which is a lovely tomato, but not really suited to outdoor cultivation in Britain. If you grow them, save them. It couldn't be easier.

[antipodes]

Saving is not always that easy! Rocket and radish are good, let them go to seed, you will get loads in the pods! I grow some old tomato varieties and have saved seed from them, that works quite well.
Marigolds self seed all over the place! I now don't buy any more seeds of those, I just rearrange them around the place once they start to grow.
I also saved some beans last year, I will soon know if they have worked or not.

[Mortality]

Have a look through the list at POD http://www.plantsofdistinction.co.uk/acatalog/A-Z_of_Vegetables_TOMATO.html . There are several black ones, including a collection. The only one I've tried is Black Seaman, which is a lovely tomato, but not really suited to outdoor cultivation in Britain. If you grow them, save them. It couldn't be easier.

Thank you  ;D some lovely varieties there, I will have to wait until next year to be a bit more adventurious on the tomato front I think, or I could buy another mini greenhouse...humm..

[1066]

I like the idea of a seed saving circle  ;D
Being relatively new to allotments and growing your own, I'm only just starting to learn about seed saving etc. Always have saved flower seeds, but hope to do some saving this year.

maybe we should use the Wikki part of this site for seed saving tips ?

1066

[Robert_Brenchley]

That's a thought; I was wondering where to put them. I can't make out why, when I'm logged in to the main site, I can't seem to log in to do anything to the Wiki though.

[starting out]

Thanks for the link Tonybloke, it makes very good reading and im going to give it another go this year and will hopefully be more successful.

[no-lottie]

A couple of varieties on the site I found interesting and would be good to try here. Does anyone grow Manitoba or John Baer at all. Oregon Spring which is listed is a nice tomato if anyone is after a compact plant, quite tasty too.

[tonybloke]

got some oregon spring tom's just germinated in the propagator :)