I have pulled all my early dwarf - Hatif d'Annonay peas as they were basically finished and I want the space for beetroot. I can use some that are green and just OK for eating but the others are yellowing to being a bit greenish and the pods are starting to go limp and shrivel and feel like leather. i.e. - past their eat by date..
Can I let these older ones dry in the pod and keep them for seed or should I have left the plants to all go dry before picking the last of them for seed?
I did that to mine and can confirm they can be used as seeds, as I have tested some of them, they are all germinated. ;)
I've taken all the peas out of the shrivelled pods for saving now, (purple podded, thank you Duke Ellington :)) as it's good to check on the pea moth larvae at this time of year. Any peas with tiny brown spots will probably have them, so discard. They are in a tray drying off on the bedroom window ledge!
Ninny
Thanks Ninny and Bing... Looks like i'll dry them all and test germination in the spring..
Quote from: gavinjconway on July 22, 2012, 00:09:53
Thanks Ninny and Bing... Looks like i'll dry them all and test germination in the spring..
When you test germination, you will be pleasantly surprised. ;D
I pick leathery pods too, especially if mice and birds are getting interested in the peas, as they do. But I shell them as late as possible. The pea seeds are attached to the inside of the pods. For as long as the pods still have some moisture inside, they will give further nourishment for the maturing peas inside. In practice this means that I have to turn the pods whilst they are drying, but the seeds will be mature and germinate near 100 percent.
I store dried peas and beans in the pods all through winter. Then shell and put in the freezer for a few days to kill off any moths.
I find if they are taken out of the pods too soon they are more likely to go mouldy when you try and germinate.
Thanks muchly for the replies and encouragement... I was not going to shell them so will leave as planned in the pods till they rattle..