Saving Leek seeds

[Digeroo]

I have some plants which seem to free from moths etc, so I have been trying to keep the seeds, but the heads have dropped off before drying properly.   

Has anyone any advice about keeping leek seeds please

[Digeroo]

[Big Gee]

They drop down to the ground so that the seeds can be dispersed around the 'mother' plant. before that happens, cut the heads off and hang them upside down in a paper bag to collect all the seeds. You don't need to put the stalk in the bag, just tie it around the flower head. After the seeds have dropped into the bag you will need to winnow the contents so that you're left with just the seed.

Make sure they are thoroughly dried, packet them (preferably in a small sealable plastic bag). Place them in a refrigerator until the spring, when you can sow them.

I hope that helps a little!

[Digeroo]

Many thanks they are still soft and green, was expecting them to go black and brown before they fell off.  Last batch I had just went mouldy.

[Big Gee]

Many thanks they are still soft and green, was expecting them to go black and brown before they fell off.  Last batch I had just went mouldy.

You're welcome Digeroo.

They go mouldy if they're kept in an unsufficiently dry & airy environment - that's why I underlined 'thoroughly' dry! Greenhouses & polytunnels are often culprits. Whilst they can be very dry, they often have condensation when the air is high in humidity and does not circulate, especially as the weather gets colder. My favourite place to dry my seeds is in the boiler room at home. Mould will not develop if the temperature is high enough and does not get stagnant.

Good luck with them - I'll be interested to know how you get on.

G.

[Digeroo]

I rather expected them to go hard and black before they dropped off , they are still green and mushy.  I thought last year it was because it was too wet, but this year had been very dry.