Post by blueadzuki on Sept 14, 2012 17:13:59 GMT -5
Hi all
Amongst the plants I am planning to put in next year is a small patch or two of Andean Lupines aka Chochos (Lupinus mutabilis).
Now two my question, does anyone know if this plant is a self pollinator or a cross pollinator? Nearly all of the seed I got (via going to the Latin American grocery store and picking a few bags up) is the normal industrial standard white stuff. However, by doing a little eye checking (you know how I am with trying to find odd seeds
) I did manage to get my hands on 3-4 that have traces of other colors (tan mostly) and I plant to plant these as well, to see if they are significantly different in appearance. The issue is that I actually do plan (assuming I get a good enough crop) to eat some of the white seed I produce. While I do plant to use that "black light" trick atash mentioned (assuming I can get a black light) and leach the seed before I consume it, it occurs to me that another key point in getting seed of maximum edibility is making sure that the two lines do not cross (working on the assumtion I usually do, that colored seeds tend to be higher in alkaloids than white ones) up to placing the two on oppoiste sides of the house if neccecary. However, if the plants usually self pollinate, I probably don't need to isolate them that far. So does anyone know?
Amongst the plants I am planning to put in next year is a small patch or two of Andean Lupines aka Chochos (Lupinus mutabilis).
Now two my question, does anyone know if this plant is a self pollinator or a cross pollinator? Nearly all of the seed I got (via going to the Latin American grocery store and picking a few bags up) is the normal industrial standard white stuff. However, by doing a little eye checking (you know how I am with trying to find odd seeds
) I did manage to get my hands on 3-4 that have traces of other colors (tan mostly) and I plant to plant these as well, to see if they are significantly different in appearance. The issue is that I actually do plan (assuming I get a good enough crop) to eat some of the white seed I produce. While I do plant to use that "black light" trick atash mentioned (assuming I can get a black light) and leach the seed before I consume it, it occurs to me that another key point in getting seed of maximum edibility is making sure that the two lines do not cross (working on the assumtion I usually do, that colored seeds tend to be higher in alkaloids than white ones) up to placing the two on oppoiste sides of the house if neccecary. However, if the plants usually self pollinate, I probably don't need to isolate them that far. So does anyone know? 
