Rhubarb and relatives - The Manual of Seed Saving - page 193

POLLINATION NOTES Buckwheat is an insect-pollinated outcrosser; its flowers are white to pinkish
red. Mild weather is important for good pollination. Wind, rain, and drought can also affect pollination
negatively; expect reduced yields in such conditions.
Common buckwheat seeds
Tartary buckwheat seeds
GROWING FOR SEED Broadcast or sow in rows, on poor soils, in late spring or midsummer (or
whenever seed is traditionally sown in your area). Seeding rate: 20-25 seeds/ft. 2 (200-250 seeds/m2).
Buckwheat can be sown in midsummer because it requires only three to four months to produce ripe
seed; it will even germinate in relatively dry soil. On the other hand, buckwheat does not handle the in-
tense heat of the summer well; temperatures above 77°F (25°C) can reduce seed yields by up to 40%.
Buckwheat flowers about five weeks after germinating and is in bloom for about six weeks, with most
seeds forming in the first two to three weeks. Summer sowings must allow time for seeds to ripen be-
fore the first autumn frosts, as buckwheat is not hardy.
HARVEST Timing the harvest can be difficult, as seeds ripen over a long period. The ideal time is
when the lower leaves have fallen off and around three-quarters of the seeds have hardened and
reached their final color. Harvest early, before the morning dew has evaporated, to help prevent seed
from dropping to the ground. Cut entire plants and thresh and winnow right away, waiting until you
have just seed to dry. Buckwheat seed can be silvery gray, brown, or black.
SELECTION CHARACTERISTICS
• yield
• seed size
• stability
• synchronous ripening
• drought tolerance