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Post by wolfcub on Aug 7, 2011 10:27:24 GMT -5
I have a first year carrot (Juane DE Doubs yellow carrot) sent to me by Dan, that has sent up flower umbels. I read that only second year carrots make seed heads? Will I be able to harvest seeds from this carrot? And what is the correct way to prepare these seeds for harvest.Thanks Marj
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Post by Joseph Lofthouse on Aug 7, 2011 11:21:25 GMT -5
If biennials get too cold first thing in the spring, or stressed by drought, or other stresses some plants in the population will go to seed the first year. I generally do not harvest seeds from 1st year biennials that produce seeds because I want to save seeds from the plants that are least susceptible to stress, not from the ones that are most susceptible. But if seed supply is very limited I'm going to take what I can get, especially if I treat it as a backup in case next year's seed crop fails.
Carrot seed heads hold onto their seeds fairly tightly, so I watch for the umbel to curl up and dry down. When it starts getting brittle I pick them and let them dry further in an open paper bag. Then thresh and winnow them by hand. A colander is helpful for separating the seeds from the stems.
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Post by MikeH on Aug 7, 2011 13:09:19 GMT -5
I generally do not harvest seeds from 1st year biennials that produce seeds because I want to save seeds from the plants that are least susceptible to stress, not from the ones that are most susceptible. Is this necessarily an undesirable characteristic? It seems to me that this trait a defence mechanism, an insurance against total crop failure. Perhaps it's a strength rather than a weakness. Regards, Mike |
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Post by ottawagardener on Aug 7, 2011 13:10:34 GMT -5
I've also been told that some varieties have this tendency perhaps because of being developed for different climates or perhaps for selection for flowers rather than roots (I know, I know). Anyhow, that's the rumour I've heard. I have a couple flower umbles in first year roots this year but there were a lot of 'odd' carrots. We are also a bit droughty right now and in my old sandpit garden, really droughty.
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Post by Leenstar on Aug 7, 2011 20:24:01 GMT -5
Worst case scenario is you save some seeds and give them a try. This big problem with carrots for me is the space they take up if you are letting them go to seed. They readily cross with other stuff, especially Queen Anne's lace.
When I saved seeds from a variety I have about 10 carrots that I let go to seed. I have enough of that seed for ages. I wish I liked the carrots better for all the seed I got.
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Post by wolfcub on Aug 7, 2011 20:32:42 GMT -5
Thanks for all the information. I think I will attempt to save the seed and plant them next season.
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Post by raymondo on Aug 8, 2011 5:34:02 GMT -5
Only one thing to be wary of, and it won't affect one year's collection. Carrots are outbreeders so the ideal is to have as many plants as possible going to seed at once to maintain vigour. For me that means 40 or more. Saving from just one plant once should do no harm but you shouldn't expect to be able to maintain a variety this way.
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Post by Joseph Lofthouse on Aug 9, 2011 1:30:25 GMT -5
A carrot that flowers that first year is unsuitable for eating, since as soon as the flower stalk starts developing the root turns hard, and fibrous, and becomes unpalatable when they are still too small to eat.
A carrot that doesn't flower until the second year grows large, and remains tender and edible until the next spring (10 months).
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Post by mnjrutherford on Aug 12, 2011 7:50:37 GMT -5
I haven't had any success with carrots here... yet. Mainly due to over competition from weeds. I didn't realize they were edible for so long. I'm hoping to put in seed for a fall/winter crop with the idea that they can produce when most weeds stop growing.
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Post by ottawagardener on Aug 31, 2011 18:18:17 GMT -5
They do suffer from competition even from themselves of course. Curious to know how your fall crop goes!
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Post by 12540dumont on Aug 31, 2011 18:48:09 GMT -5
Hey Wolf, If they don't make great carrots, they will make great flowers. As to not having enough to keep it going...I think it's 40 for outbreeders...but Dan Grunt is a generous man, if you write to him again, to get more seed, you can mix what you have with new seed and thereby increase the diversity. These were overwintered leeks and the flowered as soon as the weather warmed. I dug them up and moved them. I have more of this seed and plant to mix them into my leek grex. The leeks I planted in the spring, are still going strong. The "B" word, they're harder than annuals. But as my friend from Vermont says, "Verra Purdy" Attachments:
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