Seed Saving Circle 2024

[galina]

Fresh seeds is absolutely fine Jang.  It is actually welcome.  It allows me to delay my 'planned grow out date' and extend the timeframe nearer to 'viability may drop - must grow out now' date.  And with tomatoes, the former for me is six years or more frequent for favourite varieties and the latter is ten years. 

As it happens, I have also grown Black Plum this year, as it is a favourite, but not Kumato.  If I am pushed for space in 2025, with your seeds, Kumato can now safely wait for another year or two.  But because it is also a really good slicing tomato with strong and deep flavour, chances are it will be grown next year anyway.     

[galina]

[galina]

Some Turkish varieties from your travels I think, for example Sakharnyi Zheltyi? Can you say what kind of tomato that is?

Sorry to but in, but they are Russian not Turkish.  https://www.tomatofifou.com/en/produit/sakharnyi-zheltyi/

[JanG]

Thanks Galina. Looks good. Early and huge!

[Vetivert]

I have some Japanese bunching onion seeds to add, of the 'Red Beard' variety.

I had one plant from a couple of years ago, it's established itself on the plot, divided many times and this year provided me with a seed crop. This hasn't appeared to affect the clump which continues to grow. I know you're meant to have at least dozens of onions for seed to maintain genetic vigour, but let's see how these fare. In the germination test they were all up in a flash.

They also flowered last year; I didn't collect the seeds but I'm fairly certain some pollen crossed with the Shimonita, which I shared last year, as some of this year's Shimonita have red stems! Though only a few.

Originally from Real Seeds but they haven't stocked them in a few years.

[JanG]

That sounds a really interesting and valuable addition,Vetivert. Do you find Shimonita can develop a perennial habit too?

I have a possible contribution with genetic vigour question marks too. I have grown Double Red sweetcorn (originally from Real Seeds) from two different batches of seed. There were forty plants in my patch, whereas for genetic breadth and vigour rather more are recommended. On the other hand, the fact that the seed was from two different batches grown in different years should contribute to their gene bank I believe. Perhaps if I include the seeds but with that warning. Others might be able to say more about the likelihood of any diminution of vigour.

I also have seeds of Stonor's Most Prolific, a tomato from HSL, pak choi and an ornamental allium, nodding onion, Allium cernuum.

I hope everyone's seed gathering and sorting is going well. Excitement mounts!

[ruud]

these are the beans i send with the other seeds:Marie-louise
                                                                     Lazy housewife
                                                                     Rosaweisse
all three are polebeans.

[JanG]

There have been problems with accessing A4A over the last couple of days and I've emailed circle members separately in case the problems persist. Mercifully they have been fixed for which many thanks.

I have one final contribution to make to the circle. Last season we were aware that the developer of many fine lettuce varieties, Frank Morton, was retiring. There was concern that some of his varieties might fade out of circulation. I had bought several directly from his company back in, I think, 2018. One of these, Mayan Jaguar, successfully germinated this last season so I have seed ready to share. I haven't got a photo but this is an internet image

[JanG]

I spoke too soon when I wrote 'one final'. I think this really is the final final!

I have gathered seeds of agretti, otherwise known as Salsola soda. If you haven't come across it, it's a bit like samphire, kind of succulent and slightly salty.A common name is saltwort. It can be eaten fresh as a salad ingredient or very lightly cooked and is good with spaghetti etc.
The seed has to be very fresh and even then germination is certainly not 100%. I love it, and for me it now self-seeds every year in my polytunnel. You can grow it out of doors as well. Early in the season I think it would benefit from some protection. Once you have it you can keep harvesting fresh seed each year but quite a lot of the seed on sale isn't fresh enough to be any use. I had good seed eventually from Franchi which they sent out within a fairy short window I think. I'm hoping my seed will be good. Real Seeds also supply it. Photo is internet

[galina]

Both are going to be treasured Jan, thank you.  Looking forward to these. 

[Vetivert]

Do you find Shimonita can develop a perennial habit too?

Unlike Red Beard, Shimonita does not split into mulitple bulbs but remains singular. I would presume it dies after flowering - I don't know for certain, as after they set ripe seed I pulled up the lot.

[Vetivert]

I'm in awe of the contributions this year 

I'll be adding Corée de Sang, which I received from Guy Dirix. It's a vigourous climber of the shelling/drying type.
https://belleepoquemeise.be/le-roi-du-potager/coree-de-san/

[markfield rover]

I have just noticed that my tree peony has beautiful fat ripe pods , would anyone like 2/3 seeds ?

[JanG]

Thank you for the offer. Just wondering what colour the flowers on your tree peony are?

[JanG]

I was delighted to receive two lovely fat packages of seeds today, one from Garrett and one from Juliev.Thank you both very much for the generosity of the contributions and for the care which had gone into their preparation

[markfield rover]

Re:tree peony , sorry to be so vague and if I find the label I will update( or when it flowers)  I think yellow , I do remember buying it from a beautiful walled garden nursery just outside Hay on Wye.
Hot footing it to the Post Office ......