Seed Saving Circle 2026

[galina]

Looks fab Garrett. Fingers crossed for a lot of seed.

I have also bagged a Taltos pepper from Hungary, but it is only just flowering.  Have several more plants, but none are as far ahead as yours due to starting later. https://exotic-seeds.com/hu/home/bell-pepper-seeds-shaman-taltos.html

After several aborted fruit, one Retata melon is finally growing.  As unfortunately the Dino melon did not make it, the Retata melon is the only one growing in the garden (our one neighbour does not grow any melons) so fingers crossed this one could make the seed circle from Ruud's older seed. 

Unfortunately with the Whangaparoa Crown which I tried to handpollinate this morning I encountered a problem:  As I prepared the male flower, a bee flew right inside the female flower, so that one would likely not be pure breeding and I had to abandon it.  Waiting for the next flowers, looks likely in two days. 

Tomorrow I am trying to handpollinate the NZ Blue squash.  Hope for better luck and I won't open the female flower before preparing the male!  Have learned my lesson. 

The Striato d'Italia that I handpollinated has grown into a marrow and the plant has slowed down and is not producing more fruit.  Not an issue, we have several more plants that keep us more than supplied with courgettes. 

Still harvesting peas, but most plants are getting like straw now.  Doug Bray of Grimsby is still going strong however (planned for the circle), Mr Bound's bean pea kept going too, well into yet another heat wave and Ruby Beauty and Spring Blush are still supplying snap and mangetout peas right now and hopefully for a little longer.

   

   

[JanG]

Great news, elfeda, Garrett and Galina. It's wonderful to hear these success stories - as well, inevitably, as occasional disappointments - as the season progresses. I've had a very busy week or so preparing for a big family occasion, but very much looking forward to seeing what the garden has got up to while my attention has been elsewhere.

It's remarkable to me that you already have peppers ripening out of doors, Garrett. I guess this summer's temperatures at least have that advantage. But the drought, which is now a very significant factor, is making growing quite a challenge for most of us I imagine.

[markfield rover]

Peas have been difficult again this year ,French beans look good and Maureen the lettuce is in isolation 🤞. I am growing tomatoes from nrtomatoseed , and being happy go lucky I bought a pack of 'Lucky Dip'too. One of the first plants to ripen was from this selection, it looks like Brad's Atomic Grape but can't be sure , it tastes wonderful, so if anyone would like me to add this unnamed beauty I will do so ,clearly labelled.
I also have seed from  a white/maroon Hibiscus if desired.