Branching Out's Seeds and Sprouts

[heirloomgal]

Lots of pulling horsetails today, and cutting back ornamental sunflowers that are finished. I plan to save a few heads for next year's flower seed -- as long as the critters don't find them first. The seeds seem to be really popular with Stellar's Jays.

What kind of calendula are those? They’re gorgeous.

 

[Branching Out]

What kind of calendula are those? They’re gorgeous.

Thank you-- I really like them too. They are 'Zeolights,' bred by Frank Morton at Wild Garden Seed. They look kind of like gerbera daisies.

 

[Branching Out]

The melons are coming along now, but I am not sure of the variety because in the spring my tray of seedlings toppled over and they all got mixed up. No matter though. The winter squash is sizing up nicely too. I think these orange ones are Lower Salmon River, an heirloom from Idaho.

 

[Branching Out]

After a disappointing attempt at starting Phlox Brilliant at the end of December (40 seeds and only about six seedling resulted) I am quite blown away by the bright and happy pink display that they are putting on now in the late summer garden. They don't seem bothered by the heat and drought at all. Romaine 'Little Gem' is looking good too, and producing a lot of seed.

 

[digitS']

my tray of seedlings toppled over

I remember you saying that a couple of months ago. I stopped there when I read this and looked at the middle picture and thought to write, "So, that means that if your melon plant produces Winter squash you won't mind?" Reading a little further was reassuring .

Phlox should be especially happy with your climate, I'd guess. So nicely fragrant . I had some problem keeping them going with the hot & dry, however.

Steve

 

[Branching Out]

The Seeds of Diversity Community Grow-Out that I am participating in is finally at the seed saving stage (yay-- I didn't kill them!) and I am to save seeds from each of the seven plants that are growing in my garden. Today I went to scoop out the seeds, and I was surprised to see that several good-sized fruits had only little tiny 'dots' inside but no viable seeds. Now I am wondering if they all came from the same plant, in which case it may be sterile for some reason. So I went back out to the garden and purposefully harvested all of the red tomatoes from each plant, keeping them in order with #1 on the left and #7 on the right. I will let the tomatoes ripen for a few days on the counter, and then I will see if each plant is producing seed. Plants #1 and #4 were later than the others, and are only started to have ripe fruit recently. I noted that I got seven tomatoes from plant #5, so it is the most prolific at this moment. Am I ever having a blast participating in this project!

 

[Branching Out]

Joseph Lofthouse offers what he describes as an inter-species hybrid swarm 'Wildling Panamorous Tomato' that 'is descended from crosses between domestic tomatoes and two wild tomato species (Solanum habrochaites and Solanum pennellii)'. I couldn't resist growing them, but I was concerned about their wild tomato heritage and the crosses that could result. So I planted them in my neighbours yard! They don't grow anything, and the neighbour on the other side of them does not grow tomatoes. This means the only person who can get messed up by this is me. All but one of my tomatoes are at least 100ft away, and there is a hedge and a house in between as well. The one tomato plant that could end up crossing with these will be a question mark, so I will segregate those seeds. I have 5 plants of the Wildling and they are just starting to produce in colours ranging from deep orange, to striped orange, to red-- and some are tiny cherries and others are small tomatoes. The orange is of a fantastic shade, and it has become an instant favourite of mine. It will be very interesting to monitor their disease resistance once the fall rains arrive, as Joseph has worked hard to breed disease tolerant varieties.

This article from an old issue of Seed Savers Exchange has some helpful tips for avoiding Natural Cross-Pollination:

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Saving the Past for the Future

www.southernexposure.com

So far I have small packets of seeds that I have saved from over 30 kinds of tomatoes, and the photo below shows 24 different varieties ripening on the kitchen table, so I can harvest seed from them.

 

[Branching Out]

Job Posting:
Assistant(s) needed immediately. Must be knowledgeable in all things tomatoes, and be able to work independently. The job will require long hours, and the pay sucks. Preference will be given to applicants who bring beer or wine.

 

[heirloomgal]

After a disappointing attempt at starting Phlox Brilliant at the end of December (40 seeds and only about six seedling resulted) I am quite blown away by the bright and happy pink display that they are putting on now in the late summer garden. They don't seem bothered by the heat and drought at all. Romaine 'Little Gem' is looking good too, and producing a lot of seed.

That is a beautiful display of lettuce floofs! I commend your skill in achieving that, since getting lettuce plants all the way to maturity without rot, rain damage & bird pillaging is not easy! Great job!!

 

[flowerbug]

Joseph Lofthouse offers what he describes as an inter-species hybrid swarm 'Wildling Panamorous Tomato' that 'is descended from crosses between domestic tomatoes and two wild tomato species (Solanum habrochaites and Solanum pennellii)'. I couldn't resist growing them, but I was concerned about their wild tomato heritage and the crosses that could result. So I planted them in my neighbours yard! They don't grow anything, and the neighbour on the other side of them does not grow tomatoes either. This means the only person who can get messed up by this is me. All but one of my tomatoes are at least 100ft away, and there is a hedge and a house in between as well. The one tomato plant that could end up crossing with these will be a question mark, so I will segregate those seeds. I have 5 plants of the Wildling and they are just starting to produce in colours ranging from deep orange, to striped orange, to red-- and some are tiny cherries and others are small tomatoes. The orange is of a fantastic shade, and it has become an instant favourite of mine. It will be very interesting to monitor their disease resistance once the fall rains arrive, as Joseph has worked hard to breed disease tolerant varieties.

So far I have small packets of seeds that I have saved from over 30 kinds of tomatoes, and the photo below shows 24 different varieties ripening on the kitchen table, so I can harvest seed from them.

as long as you are having fun! looks like it to me.