Stock up on the cucumber seeds!

ayanefan 4/6/2010, 7:44 pm

Very interesting, maybe we should stock up on some seeds for next year. I couldn't find this on a search here so I thought I'd post it.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/gardening/features/6809275.html

quiltbea 4/8/2010, 8:17 pm

How does one save seed from their cucumbers?
I know they can't be hybrid varieties, but is there a distance between plants or do they breed true to their variety if its an heirloom or orgainic seed plant?

I plan to save my tomoto seeds for next year and I'll save cukes if its feasible.
Please help!

ayanefan 4/9/2010, 2:12 pm

I've never done much saving of seeds but here is how it goes generally.

If your cukes have seeds in them, remove them and clean them off.
Next, get a glass of water and drop them in, discard the ones that float (hopefully some will sink but if they all float, keep the plumpest ones).
Dry them off on a paper towel and leave them out in a dry area for a week or two to totally dry off.
Put them in a plastic seal-able bag and add a silica gel packet, suck the air out of the bag to get a nice vacuum.
Throw the bagged seeds in the fridge until next year's planting season.
The seeds should last for about 5 years.

If I'm incorrect in my steps, someone let me know.

Cornerstone 4/9/2010, 2:26 pm

quiltbea wrote:How does one save seed from their cucumbers?
I know they can't be hybrid varieties, but is there a distance between plants or do they breed true to their variety if its an heirloom or orgainic seed plant?

I plan to save my tomoto seeds for next year and I'll save cukes if its feasible.
Please help!

Distance between different varieties of cucumbers are the only way to make sure that you have true seed. Be sure to let the fruit ripen. Let it turn yellow before picking. You may also want to let it finish ripening in the house for a few days.

One thing to remember is that when you start letting the fruit mature, the vine will slow down (if not stop) blooming.

quiltbea 4/9/2010, 2:58 pm

Thank you for your replies.
Now I know the method and how to be sure the seed is true.
I was going to plant a couple of different varieties this year, but I'll now just grow one variety to be sure they breed true.
I can try another variety next year.
Thank you again helpful gardeners.
quiltbea

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Stock up on the cucumber seeds!

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