[FatGaz]

I bought some Chilli seeds for £3.50, to only find 6 seeds in the packet!

I was wondering how I would go about collecting my own seeds at the end of the season. When I have collected seeds from the chilli, would I then need to freeze them for a while so they think they have gone through winter?

Does anyone have any advice on collecting / storing / using your own seeds? - any veg, not just chillies.  

[Eristic]

The first thing to remember is that only pure varieties will grow true to their own seed. Hybrids are unlikely to produce anything like the parent, and even a pure strain can produce wierd offspring if cross-polinated. For that reason and the exorbident cost I stay away from F1 hybrid seeds preferring to grow heirloom varieties.

Collecting seeds is a facinating and addictive sideline and while not difficult, does tend to require some attention to detail with each type of seed requiring different treatment.

Have a look at this on-line seed catalogue and first you will see that you paid a lot but at the bottom of each page is an explanation of how to save the seed. The Real Seed Company

Saving seeds is routine for me yet still my annual seed bill is expensive

[FatGaz]

Thanks for the info Eristic - thats a very interesting site! I might have a go at saving a few non-hybrid seeds.  :?

[supersprout]

Definitely the way to go ... except for squash, which are very naughty and inter pollinate with any other squash within 20 metres or so :twisted:   I always buy squash from seed suppliers to make sure they come true

[Eristic]

You are only ever likely to need one squash fruit for seeds and as they have large flowers it is an easy matter to hand pollinate one or two and mark them for seed harvest. Any plant pollinated by insects can have the other parent several miles away.

Cross-pollination does not necessarily produce bad results: All the varieties we grow today are the result of a cross, often accidental. Some people actually make a living out of it.

[freyaluck]

Sory to but in. :oops:
I have a cape gooseberry bush Does anyone think it would be possible to harvest the seeds from it and will they grow If I do.   They are really scrummy. My bush's fruit is still maturing now.
Frey

[shaun]

your best taking cuttings frey

[freyaluck]

unfortunately its died back so no chance of that :shock:
was hoping I could use the seeds it had already produced, will give it a go anyway just to make sure it wont work  
frey

[shaun]

not sure on the best time to take cuttings from a goosgog but i'm sure someone will know

[king cauli]

its not like a gooseberry bush shaun, its a bit like a physalis with the berry in the middle of the paper lantern,collected some seeds today and yes,they will grow for sure tasty and if anyone wants some seed have loads spare :?:

[shaun]

ohh i thought it was a gooseberry bush cauli  :oops:
do geese actually eat these, wonder where they got the name gooseberry from?
i often wonder where names of veg and fruit came from  :? (sorry going off topic again)

[king cauli]

no worries shaun,im here to learn too did you like ya wanted poster and why no"anythin is hard to find"smiths lyrics,"dont plagurise or take on loan,cause theres always someone somewhere with a big nose who knows"

[shaun]

"smiths lyrics,"dont plagurise or take on loan,cause theres always someone somewhere with a big nose who knows"

and trips you up and laughs when you fall  

[king cauli]

morning shaun :shock:

[shaun]

good morning cauli are you well ?