Seed collecting and saving from existing plants

[LadyGuise]

I have recently been curious about seed saving. I have some brussels sprouts that are doing good so far (crossing fingers) except for the one plant that flowered. So I figured since I had a plant that flowered and couldn't get any crop out of it, I would try saving the seeds from it instead. I found the pods that house the seeds, but to be honest, I am not sure what to do from here. Are there any books or websites that are good for a beginner trying to start seed collecting that you would recommend?

[morwen]

Check your original seed packet or the tag that came with the transplant if you still have it. If the plant is a hybrid don't bother saving the seeds. Plants grown from the saved seeds of hybrids revert back to one of the original parents and usually not in a good way. Save seeds from open pollinated and heritage/heirloom types.

[LadyGuise]

Thanks Morwen...I will see if I still have the original pack.

[calliope_nh]

I would be reluctant to collect, plant and nurture seeds from a "dud". I usally save from the best of my small crop (just container gardening for me). It is not hard to do. I didn't find amlocal source for tomatillo seedlings and just planted some from a fruit I purchased at the store. So far, so good.

Here is a link to the forum at Seed Savers Exchange. http://forums.seedsavers.org
There is lots of info there.

[LadyGuise]

No the plant wasn't a dud. The plant actually grew really well, but then sprouted the flower stems before I stopped it. But the other plants from that same bunch are growing really good so I am thinking the seeds I get from this plant might grow good also. But I don't know anything about seed saving so I could be totally wrong. We'll see! But thanks for the forum link. I will check it out.

[Sue in Mt P]

It's fun to try it. That Seed Savers Exchange is amazing. I love heirloom plants and they've rescued all kinds of cool old cultivars.

Let us know how you do.

[LadyGuise]

You're right...it is fun to try out new things. I will let you know how it goes. :-)

[Sue in Mt P]

I usually just let the seed pods dry, knock them into a paper envelope and put in a dry place. SOmetimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but I way over putting a lot of work into it anymore, lol.

[LadyGuise]

Yeah, it probably is a lot of work. And it will probably be something I will give up on after the first year of hassle, but it all sounds interesting and challenging so I think I am going to take go at it. Wish me luck. At this point, I will be happy if I get anything from seeds I save!