Quick Overview
keep up the transmitted legacy of yourbeloved prickly-seeded spinach plantsis anincredibly rewarding endeavor . Harvesting seeds from spinach plants ensure a uninterrupted supply of this leafy green vegetable in your garden for year to come . This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process , from selecting the good works to storing the seeds for optimum viability .
Selecting the Right Spinach Plants
The first step is to select level-headed andvigorous prickly-seeded spinach plants . attend for plants with succulent , thick green leavesand no signboard of disease or pests . It ’s best tochoose plantsthat have bolt , which means they have sent up a blossom stalk .
Identifying Male and Female Spinach Plants
Spinach is adioecious plant life , meaning that there areseparate maleand female plant life . Male plants produce pollen , whilefemale plants make seed . To reap seeds , you will need both male and female plants . Male plants have long , thin flower stalks with minor , greenish - yellow flower . distaff plants have shorter , thicker heyday stalkswith larger , dark-green - white flowers .
Waiting for Seed Pods to Form
After efflorescence , thefemale prickly-seeded spinach plantswilldevelop seed pod . These pods are small , pear-shaped , and green when immature . As they ripen , the seedcase willturn brownand dry .
Harvesting the Seed Pods
Once theseed podsare amply ripe , you could harvest them . foreshorten the flower stalks about 6 inches above the base and place them in apaper bagor envelope . Allow the seedpod to dry in a tender , well - vent areafor several days .
Extracting the Seeds
Once the seeded player pod arecompletely teetotal , you may extract the seeds . lightly crush the pods between your finger or use aseed extractor . The seed are small and shameful .
Cleaning the Seeds
After evoke the come , you need to make clean them . aim the seeds in a sieve and wash them with water . This will bump off anyremaining plant materialor debris .
Drying the Seeds
After cleaning , the source want to be dried soundly before storing . spread out the seminal fluid on apaper towelor cheesecloth and leave them in a quick , teetotal placefor several daylight .
Storing the Seeds
Once the seeds arecompletely dry , you’re able to put in them in anairtight containerin a cool , dark place . The seeds willremain viablefor up to three yr .
Tips for Successful Seed Harvesting
Takeaways
Harvesting seeds fromspinach plantsis a rewarding and sustainable path to assure acontinuous supplyof this alimental vegetable in your garden . By following the step outlined in this guide , you’re able to successfully preserve thegenetic heritageof your spinach plants and enjoy the fruits of your labor for years to come .
Common Questions and Answers
Q : Can Iharvest seedsfrom any spinach plant?A : Yes , but it ’s best toselect healthyandvigorous plantsthat have bolt . Q : How do I know if aspinach plantis male or female?A : Male plantshave long , tenuous flower stalk with little , greenish - yellow prime . Female plants have brusk , fatheaded flower stalks with larger , greenish - white flowers . Q : How long does it take forspinach seedsto germinate?A : Spinach seeds typically germinatewithin 7 - 14 days . Q : How long do spinach seeds stay viable?A : prickly-seeded spinach ejaculate stay on viablefor up to three old age when store properly in anairtight containerin a cool , sorry berth . Q : Can Isave seedsfrom intercrossed spinach plant plants?A : No , hybrid spinach plant plantsare not on-key - to - case , which means that the seeds you economise may notproduce plantswith the same characteristics as the parent plants .
