Summary
Kale , a nutritious - rich leafy green , is a staple fiber in many respectable diets . While it can be grown frompurchased seeds , harvesting seeds from your own kale plants extend numerous benefits , including save money , save suitable traits , and promoting ego - sufficiency . In this comprehensive guide , we will delve into the elaborated process of how to getkale seedsfrom plant , ensuring a successful seeded player - saving adventure .
Selecting the Right Kale Plants
The first stone’s throw in harvest kale seeds is select suitable parent industrial plant . pick out healthy , vigorous kale plants that have not been treated with chemical substance . count for plant withdesirable trait , such asdisease opposition , high output , and exceptional flavor .
Allowing the Kale Plants to Bolt
To produce seeds , kale plantsneed to go through a process call gobble . run off take place when the industrial plant get a efflorescence stalk and flowers . It typically happens when the plant is exposed tolonger daylight hoursand warm temperatures . Once the flower stalk emerges , give up the flora tocontinue growingand flowering .
Pollination
Kale is a self - feed works , meaning it canproduce seedswithout the help of insects or twist . However , cross - pollenation can pass off between different kale smorgasbord , resulting ingenetic diverseness . To promote cross - pollination , flora multiple kale varieties near each other .
Harvesting the Seed Pods
As thekale bloom slicing , semen pods will begin to form . These pod areinitially greenbut will bend brown and dry as they maturate . When the seed pods arecompletely dryand hard , they are ready to be harvested .
Separating the Seeds from the Pods
Once theseed podshave been harvest , it ’s metre to assort the seeds from the pods . This can be done bygently rubbingthe pods between your hands over a container . The seeds will fall out , and the chaff ( thedried remainsof the pod ) will be branch .
Cleaning and Drying the Seeds
After separate the seminal fluid from the seedcase , clean them by removing any remaining shuck or debris . unfold the seeds on a clean sheet of newspaper or a fine - mesh sieve andgently blowaway anyremaining particles . let the seeds to dry good for several daylight in a tender , well - ventilated area .
Storing the Seeds
Proper storage is crucial for maintaining the viability of kale source . stash away the ejaculate in anairtight containerin a cool , dark , and dry place . Theideal memory board temperatureis between 40 ° F and 50 ° F ( 4 ° carbon and 10 ° C ) . seeded player stash away under these atmospheric condition can remain viable for up to four years .
Using the Kale Seeds
Once you have harvest and stack away your kale seeds , they can be used to grow new kale plants . Sow theseeds directlyin the garden inearly springor get them indoors six to eight hebdomad before the last frost . Kale is ahardy plantthat can tolerate a encompassing reach of grunge conditions , but it prefers well - drain , fertile soil .
Tips for Successful Seed Harvesting
Final Note: The Rewards of Seed Saving
harvest home scratch seed from plant is arewarding experiencethat let gardeners to save money , save suitable traits , and promote self - sufficiency . By follow the steps adumbrate in this guide , you cansuccessfully collectand store kale seminal fluid that will produce vigorous and productive plants for class to come .
Frequently Asked Questions
Q : Can Isave seedsfrom hybrid kale plants?A : No , intercrossed kale plantsare bred toproduce specific traitsand will notproduce true - to - type seeds . Q : How do I have it off if mykale seedsare viable?A : demeanor agermination testby placing a few seeds on a damp paper towel and stay fresh them in a tender , dark place . practicable ejaculate will shoot within a few days . Q : Can Isave seedsfromkale plantsthat have been treat with pesticides?A : It is not recommended tosave seedsfromkale plantsthat have been treated with pesticide , as residues may remain on the seeds . Q : How long do kale seeds remain viable?A : Properly stored kale seedscanremain viablefor up to four years . Q : Is it necessary to cross - pollinate kale plants?A : While scratch is self - fertilizing , grouchy - pollination promotes genetical diversity and can lead to sizable plants .