Saving Seeds
Saving seeds used to be part of gardening.From
ancient times to our grandparents day, favorite strains of vegetables
and flowers were renewed from year to year. By the 1880s, seed companies
had begun to make hybrid seeds widely and inexpensively available. By
the early 20th century many gardeners no longer saved their own seed,
and began to rely on the seed companies to provide new and improved varieties
each year. Nearly a century later, it is uncommon to find a gardener who
saves seed. But interest in heirloom gardening and seed saving is growing!
How to Save
Seeds
First of all, it's necessary to know how to keep varieties pure and this
varies with each type of plant. Then, you need to know how to prepare,
clean and store the resulting seeds. Seed is generally saved only from
open-pollinated, non-hybrid plants. Seed saved from a hybrid is likely
to revert back to characteristics of previous generations. Seed is generally
saved from annual and biennial plants. Perennials are usually propagated
through division or cuttings.
Plants which are not self-pollinating are susceptible to cross-pollination.
You do not want to save seeds from any plants that have been cross-pollinated.
Therefore, with the exception of the self-pollinators, it is a good idea
to grow only one variety of a plant from which you want to save seed that
season.
The easiest vegetables to save seed from (good choices for beginning
seed savers) are self-pollinating annuals, which include beans, lettuce,
peas, and tomatoes.
Carefully select the plants from which you will save seed. Consider such
characteristics as flavor, yield, vigor, color, size, disease and insect
resistance, early bearing, and weather tolerance. Mark these plants so
you don't accidentally eat them up! Seed must be mature before it is gathered
and thoroughly dried before it is stored. Seed can be stored in small
glass jars, paper envelopes, or plastic bags. If you use paper envelopes,
place all the filled envelopes in an airtight container. (An exception
is peas and beans, which store better in breathable bags.) Be sure to
label each container with the variety, the date, and any other pertinent
information. Store your seed where it will remain cool, dry, and dark;
a refrigerator is a good choice. Once the seed has been stored, avoid
opening the container until you are ready to plant; moisture will condense
inside the
cold jar and dampen the seeds. Many seeds are viable 2-3 years.
Tomato Seeds
The tomato is grown by more home gardeners than any other vegetable. Since
many tomatoes commonly grown are hybrids it must be remembered that while
hybrid seed will grow, you can't be sure what the result will be. The
new tomatoes may resemble their grandparents or great grandparents rather
than the plants you started with. This is true of all hybrid seed.
Save tomato seed with an open-pollinated (non hybrid) variety:
- cut the fruits in half
- scrape the seeds and the juices around them into a container
- let it ferment for three days at room temperature
- rinse the seeds under running water in a strainer
- put them on a small plate to dry.
The seeds should be stirred occasionally the first few days to keep them
from sticking together. Let them dry thoroughly before storing. Regarding
cross-pollination, the newer varieties are much less apt to cross as the
pistil is covered in the flower and not exposed to passing bees. Older,
heirloom varieties are more likely to be crossed because of the flower
structure. |
