Please Silence Your Cell Phone - University Of Maryland · Wait for petals to fall off Seed head or...
Transcript of Please Silence Your Cell Phone - University Of Maryland · Wait for petals to fall off Seed head or...
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Seed Saving: Why and How
Janet Young, Karen Mills, CindyWalczak,
Katie McIe, and Donna Starkweather
Please Silence Your Cell Phone
Thank you!
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Seed Saving - Outline
� History/Why save seeds?
� Types of seeds
� Pollination challenges
� Steps to harvest, clean, and store
flower and vegetable seeds
� Longevity of saved seeds
� Resources, final thoughts
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History - US
� 150 years ago - no seed saving companies!
� 1854 - farmer (or gardener) exchange, on-farm seed saving, and US PTO
� 1897-1924 – under USDA management 1.1 B packets distributed each year
� 1866 – first commercial seed produced, cabbage, Long Island NY
� 1945 – hybrid techniques led to growth of regional seed companies
� Today – company consolidations: 10 seed companies account for 67% of the global proprietary seed market.
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Why Save Seeds?
These?
OR
THESE!
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Engage
in the
cycle of
life
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Preserve heirloom varieties
Moon and Stars
Watermelon
almost lost!
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Preserve heirloom varieties
Cherokee Popcorn –
decorative and delicious
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Preserve heirloom varieties
Pretzel Bean -
nutty flavor!
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Preserve heirloom varieties
Mouse Melon –
cucumber and
fava bean taste
from our
Derwood
Demo
Garden
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Preserve heirloom varieties
All Heirloom Tomatoes!
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Encourage genetic diversity
The total number of genetic
characteristics in the genetic
makeup of a species.
Selective breeding → monoculture http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wheat.gif
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Famine_memorial_dublin.jpg
Irish Potato Famine 1845
Entire crop cloned from one potato
“Lumper” variety susceptible to
Phytophthora infestans
Almost entire crop destroyed; 1M
people starved to death
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Develop new varieties
1. Selection - allow only plants that show desirable
traits – in your garden - to produce seeds.
But - plant some seeds of the original variety in with
your newly-selected seeds each season to maintain
some genetic diversity.
2. Cross pollination – allow two different hybrid
varieties to grow together and to naturally cross.
Allow to continue mixing, or
separate into groups based on
observed differences
Consult resources for details!!
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Save money !
Perhaps the most attractive of all!
Types of Seeds :
Can I save all seeds?
Heirloom: Good for seed saving
� Open-pollinated seed varieties
� Over 50 years old
� Not the vegetables you usually see in grocery
� Some stores carry seeds & vegetables that are
specifically labeled “heirloom”
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Cherokee Purple
Can I save all seeds?
Hybrid: Not reliable for saving
� Bred for specific characteristics by crossing
two varieties
� Seeds germinate, but do not breed true to
parents
� Seeds from hybrids may produce plants
whose taste, color, size, etc., may not be
desirable16
Better Boy
Understanding Pollination
� Pollination impacts seed quantity and
quality
� Optimum conditions for successful
pollination are not the same for all plants
� Let’s start with the basics . . . .
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What is Pollination?
The transfer of pollen from the anther
(on stamen) to the stigma
Self pollination Cross pollination
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Anther:
creates
pollen
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Additional Pollination Terms
� Open (uncontrolled) pollination: Pollen
transferred “naturally” by
� Wind, insects, birds, or
� Pollen transferred directly to stigma within the
same flower (self pollination)
� Controlled pollination: Transfer of pollen
from one variety to another while excluding
all other pollen
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Pollination Challenges
� Self pollinators easiest: tomatoes, beans,
lettuce, peas
� Wind, bird, and insect pollinators harder:
squash, cucumbers, okra, peppers, carrots,
radishes
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Pollination Control Techniques
If your plant requires wind, insects, or birds
for pollination you can use:
� Bagging & hand pollinating
� Cages to exclude bees & hand pollinating
� Physical distance separation
� Growing only one variety for saving &
exchanging seeds with other seed savers
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Calendula
Saving Flower Seeds
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Harvesting Flower Seeds
� Do not deadhead!
� Wait for petals to
fall off
� Seed head or pod
will be exposed
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Harvesting Flower Seeds
� Cut flower several
inches below seed
head
� Dry seed head in
paper bag
� Seeds will fall to the
bottom
� Can take 1 to 4
weeks
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Saving Vegetable Seeds
Legume
seeds
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When to Harvest Veggie Seeds
� Ideal time to harvest varies from plant to plant
� Some seeds (e.g., melon) are ready to harvest when fruit is ready to eat
� Other seeds (e.g., squash and cukes) should be left on vine after you would normally eat them
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Cleaning Vegetable Seeds
Two types: dry seeds & wet seeds
DRY
Bean
Broccoli
Chilies
Corn
Eggplant
Lettuce
Pepper
WET
Berries
Cucumber
Malabar spinach
Melon
Pumpkin
Squash
Tomato
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Cleaning Dry Vegetable Seeds
Separate seed from chaff by:
Winnowing in a gentle wind
Using two screens of varying mesh size
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Cleaning Wet Vegetable Seeds
� Most seeds: Place in mesh strainer and gently
wash with water; pat underneath strainer with
towel
� Some seeds: Must ferment first to remove
germination-inhibiting substances, e.g.,
tomato, Malabar spinach.
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Cleaning Tomato Seeds
Put seeds & pulp in bowl, add water
Let stand at
room temp
for 3-4 days;
stir a few
times a day
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Cleaning Tomato Seeds� Pour off pulp & any dead seeds that float
� Good seeds sink to bottom & can be washed
in a strainer
Pulp and dead seeds Washed seeds
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Drying Wet Vegetable Seeds
� Pat bottom of strainer
with cloth towel
� Spread seeds on
plastic, glass or
ceramic plate to dry
(not paper or even
waxed paper): use a
non-sticking material Drying tomato seeds
See the LABEL!!
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Seed Drying Requirements
� Spread seeds only 1 or 2 thick
� Dry in an airy, dry location, such as an
air-conditioned room
� Keep humidity between 20% to 40%
� Takes 2 weeks or more
� LABEL them!
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Always LABEL Your Seeds
� Seed type and date collected
� Special characteristics (Autumn Gold)
� Seeds may
look alike
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Seed Storage: Dry or Moist
� Seeds are either tolerant or intolerant of desiccation (drying)
� If desiccation intolerant (cannot survive drying):
� Large-seeded plants: ex. mango, avocado
� Don’t go dormant and need to breathe
� Must be stored moist
� Shorter shelf life (a few months)
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Seed Storage: Dry or Moist
Desiccation Tolerant (survive drying)
�Most plant seeds
�While ripening & drying, seeds prepare for
dormancy by:
� Slowing physiological processes
� Converting sugars to fats and starches
�Can be safely stored for a longer time
�Most vegetable seeds
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Seed Storage Containers
Place seeds in individual paper
envelopes, wax paper, or zip lock
bags.
Label with variety name,
collection date, even picture of
plant in bloom.
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Seed Storage ContainersStore seed packets in larger containers,
such as zip lock bags, screw-top jars, or
accordion folders by month to plant.
Home Made Commercial
Spaghetti jarIce Cream Jar
Zip lock bag
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Storing Seeds in Origami Envelopes
http://www.carnivorousplants.org/seedbank/Envelope.htm
Envelopes don't need to be taped or glued.
Remember to always LABEL them!
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Where to Store Seeds
� Good: Cool, dry, and dark place—closet or
cupboard
� Better: Airtight containers in refrigerator
� Best: Dry to 5 to 7% moisture content by
weight; store several degrees below
freezing (not many of us can be this
precise!)
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Problems With Stored Seeds 1
� Temperature variations
� Moisture fluctuations
� If weather is humid when drying, put desiccant (silica gel packet) in container with seeds, remove after 7 - 8 days
� If after drying, see:
� Mold or mildew on seeds
� Moisture on inside of storage container
� Also use desiccant
Problems With Stored Seeds 2� Insects
� Freezing is safest
� Add diatomaceous earth (DE)
� Animal pests
� (use tightly closed containers)
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How Long Will My Seeds Last?
It depends…
� Long lived (> 5 years - in general) : Brussels
sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber,
eggplant, lettuce, melon, radish, rutabaga,
spinach, squash, and turnip
� Medium lived (3-5 years - in general): Bean,
beet, broccoli, carrot, leek, pea, pepper,
pumpkin, and tomato
� Shorter lived (1-2 years - in general) : Corn,
onion, parsley, parsnip
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Germination Considerations
Germination rates
will always decline
over time
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How To Estimate Germination Rate
Place 25 seeds on
wet paper towelCover with wet
paper towel, roll
Place in plastic bag +
holes → 75°
Count at day 6:
23/25 = 92% GR
Check daily:
1st count – day 7
2nd count – day 14
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Where to Find Heirloom Seeds
� Existing local seed swaps (e.g., Washington
Gardener Magazine Seed Exchange; MGs)
� Your own seed circle of neighbors, friends
� Seed Savers Exchange – lists sources for open-
pollinated and heirloom seeds
� Seeds Trust – online store for heirloom seeds
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Resources on Seed Saving
� Ashworth, Suzanne. Seed to Seed
� Bubel, Nancy. The New Seed Starter’s Handbook
� Deppe, Carol. Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties
� Rogers, Marc. Saving Seeds
� Turner, Carole. Seed Sowing and Saving
� Rowe, Jack. http://howtosaveseeds.com - Vegetable Seed
Saving Handbook
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Some Final Thoughts: 1
� Not all seeds breed true, or will look exactly like the
parent – look for heirloom varieties
� Consider starting out with a self pollinating plant
� Check references to see how your seeds should be
saved
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Some Final Thoughts: 2
� Select seeds from healthy and multiple plants, from
those producing the best vegetables and flowers
� Learn to recognize plant diseases since some can
be transmitted in seeds
� Learn what mature seeds look like for the plant
seeds you wish to harvest
� Remember to always LABEL your seed rows,
drying plates, and seed containers
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Seed Saving Has National and
Global Importance
� National Center for Genetic
Resources Preservation,
USDA, Ft. Collins, CO – maintains seed
collections
� Svalbard Global
Seed Vault - Norway
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Benefits of Saving Seeds
� Engage in the cycle of life
� Preserve heirloom varieties
� Encourage genetic diversity
� Develop new varieties
� Save money
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Seed Saving for the Home Gardener
Montgomery County Fair – MG Demo Garden – August 2011
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MG Seed Swap Again This Year!!
When: March 7 – after monthly MG meeting
Where: Montgomery County Fairgrounds
Kinds of Seeds: Your own saved seeds, or
commercially purchased seeds
More Details: March issue
of The Seed, and email to
List serve. Email Janet with
questions.
http://extension.illinois.edu
This program was brought to you by
The Master Gardeners Program of
Montgomery County
University of Maryland Extension