Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The flower stems of brassicas can become quite tall, and the seed pods at the
base of the stems develop and ripen first. When at least half the pods are dry and
brown, cut the stem and hang it upside down to dry further. Break the pods apart
by hand (wear gloves, they're sharp) and collect and store the seeds. Collect only
from pods that have had time to ripen and dry completely.
Because members of this group cross so readily, you can try creating your own
new variety. Plant two varieties of the same plant that have characteristics you
like, fairly close together, using successional sowing to get them flowering at the
same time, and collect seed as described above. When these are grown they will
produce a variety of results, and you should save seeds only from the plants closest
to the combination of features you wanted.
In the following years you can continue to fine-tune the selection until eventu-
ally you have a type that breeds true. It requires patience and dedication, but it's
this process that has produced all the amazingly different varieties available to
us today.
Chard
Chard stems can be over 2 metres tall. Unusually, the flavour of the leaves does
not change while the plant is bolting and these can still be picked, helping to tide
you over from one year's crop to another. However, this should be avoided if
you're planning on saving seed, as it takes energy from the plant.
Cut the stems near the ground as seeds become ripe, and hang them upside
down to encourage further ripening. Strip seeds from the stem by hand, and
store when completely dry. To ensure genetic diversity, save seed from at least
six plants.
Radish
While very close in seed and early leaf appearance to many other brassicas, radish
will cross only with other radishes. Because it is insect-pollinated, it requires
isolation from other varieties; alternatively, grow only one variety for seed each
year.
Radishes can produce a flower stalk a metre tall. When the seed pods are dry,
pick them and break by hand (wearing gloves) to release the seeds. Remove the
larger debris, and winnow the rest to get clean seed.
IV: Moderate to difficult
Spinach
Spinach is 'dioecious', meaning that it produces male and female flowers on dif-
ferent plants. It also crosses very readily with other spinach varieties, so you
