Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Note:
Beans are big seeds and take a long time to dry thoroughly. Only store
them when they are completely dry.
Coriander
Coriander is an 'umbellifer' (see 'Easy to moderate', overleaf) that grows and
flowers in the same season. While the seeds take some time to mature fully, it's
an easy plant to save from. Once the seeds are dry, remove them by hand and
store.
Lettuce
Lettuce is self-pollinating and will generally breed true unless you deliberately
set out to create a cross. As they bolt, lettuces develop a central stem that can
eventually grow to well over a metre tall. This produces a cloud of small flowers
which turn into tiny dandelion-like puffs of wind-borne parachutes, at the base
of each of which is a seed.
The main difficulty in trying to collect seeds, especially from tunnel-grown
plants, is the likelihood of mould. This will appear quickly in humid conditions
and affected flowers should not be collected. Because of this risk, don't wait for
the entire flowering head to dry, as it will ripen in stages. Cut the flower stem
when half of the flowers (or even less if mould is a problem) have gone to seed.
Hang it upside down in a paper bag to dry completely before collecting the seeds,
which can then be separated from the fluff by gentle winnowing.
Peas
Peas produce self-pollinating flowers and generally breed true even when grown
in close proximity to other varieties. Use the same method as for French beans
(see left).
Pepper
Peppers will cross with other peppers, so if you're growing a combination of hot
and sweet, beware - you may be in for a surprise the following year. If you grow
more than one variety, cover seed plants with light fleece.
Once the pepper has ripened completely, cut it open and remove the seeds. Dry
and store.
Rocket
The most difficult thing about trying to collect seed from rocket is resisting the
temptation to eat either the flowers or developing seed pods, both of which are
wonderful additions to salads.
Whether you're collecting from plants sown in the spring or from an overwinter-
ing crop sown the previous year, save seed only from plants that are late to
