[herbiegrowsbananas]

Hi everyone

I have cabbages growing in my garden and a couple started bolting so I left them to see if I can harvest the seeds from it. They currently have bright yellow flowers so not yet gone to seed. So, my question is, HOW  :blink: and WHEN  do I harvest them? I really do want to try to grow them next year from my own seeds.

Has any one done it successfully? I would LOVE feedback and advice, 

Thanks so much
Herbie

[Trillium]

First of all it's important to know if the growing plants are hybrids or open-pollinated varieties, which will determine whether or not you get good-tasting future plants. Hybrids are 2 specific parents, one or both of which may be indifferent themselves but in a cross the result can be very good. To save seeds from this is tricky as you may or may not get a good-tasting result when it crosses with neighbouring plants.
Open-pollinated plants are just that, the seeds of which can cross with anything and still be tasty....most of the time, unless you have a number of the same variety in close proximity to mostly guarantee you're getting the same flavour in the pollinating.

Let the yellow flowers grow and the bees will eventually pollinate them. In late summer you'll notice the seed heads forming and simply let these dry on the plant and pull them before frost. Rub off any seed casings, remove any bad seeds, and store good ones in a dry, lidded container. 

[Kristen]

Personally I wouldn't save seed from bolting plants - in case they are genetically predisposed to Bolting - and the whole crop does just like its parent did next year

[DD.]

A lot of folk use the expression "bolting" when the plant has run to seed during it's natural cycle, it's two different things.

Are these last year's cabbage that are doing it, Herbie?

[herbiegrowsbananas]

Hiya

Yes, they're last years cabbages and caulis, but I had them too close together and replanted them earlier this year. The caulis then grey properly and, whilst the cabbages haven't formed proper solid heads, we have been eating the leaves for the past three months.

So I guess they haven't bolted, as you say, DD, I guess it's the natural cycle.

What d'ya think... would love advice,

thanks
Herbie

[Trillium]

Then you should see either a large cauli head or several small ones this year which will quickly shoot into flowerheads, which you can then treat as I explained above. I've never seen a cabbage go to seed as they're usually eaten up too quickly here.

[celjaci]

One cabbage could produce enough seed for all the plots on your site - all you need to do now is to persuade a neighbour to save leek seed and another, carrot seed .........

With the cost of seed these days I think it's the way to go, not to mention how little seed you get in some packets!

Good Luck

[Howard]

Personally I wouldn't save seed from bolting plants - in case they are genetically predisposed to Bolting - and the whole crop does just like its parent did next year

A very good point.

I'd also just like to say, it's threads like this one that make this forum so good. Some of you peeps are an absolute mine of information. Thank you! 

[herbiegrowsbananas]

I'd also just like to say, it's threads like this one that make this forum so good. Some of you peeps are an absolute mine of information. Thank you! 

Yup, I want to say thanks to everyone too, I would have given up in my first year if it hadn't been for the fabulous advice on this forum, I have learned so much.

Herbie

[gillie]

Don't brassicas cross pollinate?  I thought you had to cover the selected plant with insect proof net before the flowers open and then hand pollinate the flowers to prevent them crossing with something else nearby.

Otherwise you will breed cauli-bages which would be good for nothing.

Carrots certainly cross with wild carrotty things in hedgerows and are liable to produce rootless no hopers.

The seed producers do something for their money!

Cheers,

Gillie