Saving, Storing and of course Planting Seeds PART #3
Part # 3 Saving seeds from different types of plants requires a variety of approaches. Some are Self-fertile, both male and female organs residing in the one flower. Accidental cross Pollination is infrequent with these sorts of plants. Some plants require the presence of several Plants cross pollinating each other to set viable seed. If these plants are in the open, you must Be sure that the cross pollinating insects are not visiting other undesirable plants in the Vicinity. Commercial seeds men often ensure distances of kilometers to prevent unwanted crosses, But the home gardener can eliminate the odd undesirable plant from the breeding program. Another Alternative is caging the plants with insect-proof gauze and breeding a few insects, such as House flies, in the cage. Fortunately, many garden plants are very easy to save seed from. Lettuces, tomatoes, peas, beans, Capsicums and egg plants are all very reluctant to cross. These are all good plants for the Beginner to save seed from. The pumpkin family can be pollinated by hand. It is important to know the genetic relationship of different vegetables to avoid unwanted Crosses. The grass family, Gramineae, is represented by sweet corn in the garden. It will cross with Popcorn and filed corn. The lily family, Liliaceae, is represented by asparagus, onions, garlic, chives and leeks. Leeks Will cross with pearl onions, but not the ordinary sort. Chives and asparagus will not cross with The rest of the family. Garlic is propagated by bulb division and most varieties do not set true Seed. The goosefoot family, Chenopodiaceae, includes beetroot, silver beet (chard) and spinach. The cabbage family, Crucifera, includes many common garden vegetables and unfortunately many Weeds. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and kohl rabi will all cross if any are flowering at the same time. Chinese cabbage will not cross with the latter, but will cross with turnips, radishes, swedes and mustard. The pea family, Leguminosae, includes peas, French beans, broad beans, scarlet runner beans, lima beans, soybeans and cow peas. None of these groups will cross with members of the others. Note that climbing French beans are often called runner beans. Scarlet runners are a short lived perennial, and despite their name, there is a white flowered variety, though it is rare in Australia. Climbing French beans are mostly white flowered, though there is a variety called Molly's, that has pinkish flowers. The parsley family, Umbellifera, includes carrots, parsnips, parsley, celery, celeriac, and several culinary herbs. Apart from celery and celeriac crossing, the only problem in this group is carrots crossing with Queen Anne's Lace, a weed that some gardeners grow for the pretty flowers. The nightshade family, Solanaceae, includes potato, tomato, eggplant, capsicum, chillies, tobacco and several weeds. None of these will cross and crossing those that will cross takes some effort. Even a distance of two metres reduces the chances of cross pollination to negligible proportions. The cucumber family, Cucurbitaceae, includes cucumbers, winter squash, summer squash, pumpkins, zucchini, watermelons and melons. Despite some gardeners' claims, cucumbers will not cross with melons or pumpkins. There is limited crossing between some members of winter squash/pumpkin groups. The daisy family, Compositae, includes lettuce, Jerusalem artichoke and salsify. Lettuces will reluctantly cross with each other, but not the others. For all of the parts of this article in order please visit http://s14.invisionfree.com/TGTA/index.php and look in the seed forum Thank You Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/seedsavers/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/seedsavers/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
