Pepper is a popular garden crop. In order to get a rich harvest with high taste for the next year, it is necessary to take care of the preparation of planting material in advance. I want to tell you how to collect seeds from vegetables at home.
What pepper to take for harvesting planting material
I want to draw your attention to the fact that not every vegetable is suitable for harvesting seeds. I recommend considering the following subtleties:
- Use varietal species, not hybrids. Hybrids do not retain parental qualities, so it is not known what will eventually grow out of them. These peppers are marked F1 on the packaging.
- The fruit should ripen well and evenly. I leave such specimens to ripen on the bush.
- I advise you to take a strong, healthy vegetable, of the correct shape and uniform color, without signs of insect damage or traces of any diseases.
I pick fruits from the lower branches, since early flowering begins on them and the risk of pollination by other varieties is minimized.
I choose a bush for harvesting seeds in advance. It should be strong, healthy with dark green leaves. I choose an even pepper with well-pronounced characteristics of the variety.
I recommend using 2-3 pieces at once for safety net. I mark such specimens with a bright string so as not to accidentally rip them off.
I take it off the bush as soon as the fruit is fully ripe:
- acquired a uniform color;
- the correct shape;
- fleshy pulp.
Typically, this is the period from mid-August to mid-September. After harvesting, I place them indoors for 14 days, until they become jerky.
How to get seeds from a pepper
This is a simple procedure. Before doing it, I prepare the devices:
- sharp disinfected knife;
- paper;
- drying saucer;
- paper bags for storage.
After preparing all the necessary, I proceed to the procedure, which consists of several stages. I advise you to pay special attention to them so that the germination of the planting material does not deteriorate.
Procedure:
- I cover the table with light paper so that the seeds are clearly visible.
- I cut the fruit in half lengthwise, carefully separate the stalk.
- Gently knock so that all the seeds spill out.
- I pour it on a saucer and put it on the window for 14 days to dry it a little.
- Stir occasionally.
I recommend signing each plate so that you know the name of the variety.
How to get seeds with high germination
In the process of harvesting planting material, I noticed that if you follow the recommendations, the germination of the variety will increase:
- I process the seeds separated from the stalk with a salt solution. To do this, I take 1 tsp for 500 ml of water. l. table salt and mix thoroughly. Soak the seeds for 20 minutes. I throw away the ones that come up right away, I dry the rest.
- I place the saucer on a sunny window, since the sun's rays disinfect well.
- Well dried I put them in paper bags and store in a dark, dry place.
The best qualities are those of the seeds that are closer to the stalk. Because they get the very best nutrition.
Storage rules
Most of the success depends on proper storage. For these purposes, I use paper bags or envelopes, which I immediately sign so that I know the name of the variety.
But I do not advise taking plastic bags, since there is a possibility that the seeds in them will rot.
I set aside storage space on the veranda, in the closet. There is an optimal indicator of humidity, it is dark, and the temperature does not exceed 10 ° C.
Seeds retain their varietal qualities for no more than 3 years. Therefore, during this period, I recommend using planting material.
I have been using this proven method for several years now. In the summer I get an excellent harvest with high taste.
Read also: How to say goodbye to ants in the garden
Friends, do not forget to subscribe to the channel and LIKE if the article is useful!
#pepper seeds#storage#picking pepper seeds