Seed Saving: Why and How

Seed Saving: Why and How Janet Young, Karen Mills, CindyWalczak, Katie McIe, and Donna Starkweather With the Master Gardener Class of 2018 1 Our Vision: A healthier world through environmental stewardship. Please Silence Your Cell Phone Our Mission: To support the University of Maryland Extension mission by educating residents about safe, effective & sustainable horticultural practices that build healthy gardens, landscapes, & communities. Thank you! Seed Saving - Outline Brief History in US 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 5 History - US Colonial Era There were no seed saving companies! Almost everyone grew plants for food http://fineartamerica.com/featured/american-farm-scenes-currier-and-ives.html 6 1

History - US Seeds were saved and exchanged with seeds from Native Americans Corn, squash, beans, crop rotation, and companion planting among Native American contributions History - US 1784 David Landreth starts first seed company in Philadelphia http://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/the-narragansett 7 http://www.landrethseeds.com/newsletters/volume%205/issue%201%20-%20the%20commemorative%20newsletter%20series/garlic.html 8 History - US 1820 David Landreth introduced the tomato, white potato, and zinnia to America History - US 1820-1850 Local seed companies flourished http://americangardenhistory.blogspot.com/search?q=seed+warehouse http://www.landrethseeds.com/newsletters/volume%205/issue%204%20-%20part%20iv%20the%20period:%201820-1830/garlic.ht 9 10 History - US 1854 US PTO, Ag Division, developed a free system for distributing seeds to farmers In 1861 2.4 M packets were distributed History - US 1862-1924 President Abraham Lincoln created the Department of Agriculture in 1862 Under USDA management by 1897 1.1 B packets were being distributed each year for free http://americangardenhistory.blogspot.com/search?q=seed+warehouse 11 https://www.etsy.com/market/heirloom_vegetable 12 2

History - US 1945 Hybrid techniques led to growth of many regional seed companies Today Company consolidations: 10 seed companies account for 65% of the global proprietary seed market. National and Global Seed Preservation National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation, USDA, Ft. Collins, CO maintains US seed collections Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Norway holds duplicate samples of seeds held in gene banks worldwide 13 14 Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Norway Svalbard Global Seed Vault Vegetable Varieties Lost > 880,000 unique seed types, 563,272,050 individual seeds, largest collection in the world Carved into a mountain, -18-20 C 15 Crop 1903 1983 Percent Lost Beans 578 32 94.5 Beets 288 17 94.1 Carrot 287 21 92.7 Lettuce 497 36 92.8 Squash 341 40 88.3 Tomato 408 79 80.6 Peanut 31 2 93.5 It is unlikely that such large percentages of crop varieties could be lost without the permanent loss of unique traits. - Seeds on Ice, C. Fowler 16 Why Save Seeds? Engage in the Cycle of Life OR THESE! These? 17 18 3

Preserve Heirloom Varieties Preserve Heirloom Varieties Moon and Stars Watermelon almost lost! Cherokee Popcorn decorative and delicious 19 20 Preserve Heirloom Varieties Preserve Heirloom Varieties Pretzel Bean - nutty flavor! Mouse Melon cucumber and fava bean taste from our Derwood Demo Garden 21 22 Preserve Heirloom Varieties Encourage Genetic Diversity The total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species. More variation greater adaptability Selective breeding monoculture http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/file:wheat.gif Irish Potato Famine 1845 Entire crop cloned from one potato Lumper variety susceptible to Phytophthora infestans All Heirloom Tomatoes! 23 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/file:famine_memorial_dublin.jpg Almost entire crop destroyed; 1M people starved to death 24 4

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 Save Money! Perhaps the most attractive of all! Consult resources for details!! 25 26 Types of Seeds : Can I save all seeds? Heirloom: Good for seed saving Open-pollinated seed varieties Over 50 years old Cherokee Purple Not the vegetables you usually see in grocery Some stores carry seeds & vegetables that are specifically labeled heirloom 27 Can I save all seeds? Hybrid: Not reliable for saving Better Boy 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 desirable 28 What is Pollination? The transfer of pollen from the anther (on stamen) to the stigma Anther: creates pollen Understanding Pollination Pollination impacts seed quantity and quality Optimum conditions for successful pollination are not the same for all plants Self pollination Cross pollination 29 30 5

Pollination Challenges Self pollination easiest: tomatoes, beans, lettuce, peas Cross pollination by wind, bird, or insect harder: squash, cucumbers, okra, peppers, carrots, corn, radishes Additional Pollination Terms Open (uncontrolled) pollination: Pollen transferred naturally by Wind, insects, birds 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 31 32 Pollination Control Techniques Saving Flower Seeds If your plant requires wind, insects, or birds for pollination you can use: Physical distance separation Growing only one variety for saving & exchanging seeds with other Master Gardeners Bagging & hand pollinating Cages to exclude bees & hand pollinating Calendula 33 34 Harvesting Flower Seeds Do not deadhead! Wait for petals to fall off Seed head or pod will be exposed 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 35 36 6

Saving Flower Seeds Celosia or Cockscomb Flower Cleaning Dry Seeds Separate seed from chaff by: Using one or two screens of varying mesh size 37 Winnowing in a gentle wind 38 Cleaning Celosia Seeds Cleaning Celosia Seeds Seeds and chaff on screen Celosia flower head Seeds and chaff 39 Only the seeds fall through screen onto paper 40 Legume seeds Saving Vegetable Seeds 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 41 42 7

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 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. 43 44 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 Cleaning Tomato Seeds Pour off pulp & any dead seeds that float Good seeds sink to bottom & can be washed in a strainer 45 Pulp and dead seeds Washed seeds 46 Drying Wet Vegetable Seeds Seed Drying Requirements Pat bottom of strainer with cloth towel Let dry a few hours 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!! 47 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! 48 8

Always LABEL Your Seeds Seed type and date collected Special characteristics (Autumn Gold) Seeds may look alike 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) 49 50 Seed Storage: Dry or Moist Seed Storage Containers 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 Place seeds in individual paper envelopes, wax paper, or zip lock bags. Label with variety name, collection date, even picture of plant in bloom. 51 52 Seed Storage Containers Store seed packets in larger containers, such as zip lock bags, screw-top jars, or accordion folders by month to plant. Home Made Commercial Storing Seeds in Origami Envelopes Zip lock bag Envelopes don't need to be taped or glued. Remember to always LABEL them! Ice Cream Jar Spaghetti jar 53 http://www.carnivorousplants.org/seedbank/envelope.htm 54 9

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!) Problems With Stored Seeds 1 Temperature variation Moisture fluctuation 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 Use desiccant in future! 55 56 Problems With Stored Seeds 2 Insects Freezing is safest Add diatomaceous earth (DE) Animal pests (use tightly closed containers) How Long Will My Seeds Last? It depends Long lived (> 5 years - in general) : Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, 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, lettuce, onion, parsley, parsnip 57 58 Germination Considerations How To Estimate Germination Rate Germination rates will always decline over time Place 25 seeds on wet paper towel Check daily: 1 st count day 7 2 nd count day 14 Cover with wet paper towel, roll In plastic bag + holes 75 Count at day 6: 23/25 = 92% GR 59 60 10

Where to Find Heirloom Seeds Existing local seed swaps (e.g., Washington Gardener Magazine Seed Exchange; Master Gardeners) Your own seed circle of Master Gardener members Seed Savers Exchange www.seedsavers.org Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - www.southernexposure.com/ Seeds of Change - www.seedsofchange.com Territorial Seed Company www.territorialseed.com/ 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 61 62 Final Thoughts: 1 Final Thoughts: 2 Check references to see how your seeds should be saved To be sure your seeds breed true use open pollinated or heirloom varieties Consider starting out with a self pollinating plant For cross pollinating plants grow one variety and share with other seed savers! 63 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 64 Final Thoughts: 3 Benefits of Saving Seeds Engage in the cycle of life Preserve heirloom varieties Remember to always LABEL your seed rows, drying plates, and seed containers As Master Gardeners we can encourage and educate other gardeners about the Why and How of seed saving Encourage genetic diversity Develop new varieties Save money 65 66 11

Digging Deeper Master Gardeners Encourage Seed Saving! Exploring the science behind gardening All topics welcome Not just for scientists - any MG welcome Ref - UMaine Cooperative Extension, Bulletin #2750 KM A fun relaxing discussion about all those gardening questions you always wanted to ask Participating in the research project to test heat tolerant vegetable varieties! Contact Janet - janet@goldray.com 67 Montgomery County Fair MG Demo Garden August 2011 68 This program was brought to you by the Master Gardener Program of Montgomery County, University of Maryland Extension. 69 12