Seed saving

[vinconco]

I am growing 4 different varieties in the same patch and would like to save some seed from each variety.

I have:
24 TN90
24 Izmir
48 Catterton
48 Va 116

Here is the planting layout. I need to know how to prevent crossing, how many to let go to seed, what characteristics for seed plants.... basically everything.

Thanks in advance

 

[leverhead]

Damn! What part of Texas are you from? Looks nice!

 

[Knucklehead]

You will need to select your plants to bag based on their holding "true to form" for that particular variety. Then you will need to put a bag over the seed head before the plant begins to flower. the bag is not to hold pollen in as tobacco does not wind pollinate the way corn does. The bag is to keep pollinating insects like bees out. The plant is self germinating so it will pollinate itself. I use 5 gal. paint strainer bags and tie them on with a reusable zip tie in case the bag needs repositioning higher up the stalk as the plant grows.

One seed head can produce up to 250,000 seed.

 

[Knucklehead]

How do you keep that patch so weed free? That is a great looking patch of tobacco. Welcome to the forum.

 

[deluxestogie]

Welcome to the forum. Check out the grower's FAQ (link at the top of every page).

Bob

 

[vinconco]

How do you keep that patch so weed free? That is a great looking patch of tobacco. Welcome to the forum.

I'm really surprised myself with the lack of weeds too. This is a new garden and the first year actually planting it. The first year I plowed the ground in the fall. It is old mountain farm field, shale loam with a PH of about 5.4. The 2nd year I fertilized/limed and planted cowpeas to build the soil, disked in august and planted winter wheat. This year I disked the winter wheat in early and then disked it every time the condition was right till I planted it. Seems I broke the "weed seed cycle". I haven't worked those plants since I planted them 3 weeks ago. I have buckwheat planted in the background.

5 gal paint strainer bags..... just the advice I was looking for, thanks

 

[DGBAMA]

To elaborate on "true to form" for each variety, Watch for the norm within each type, not the single biggest, smallest, first to bloom. Out of 6-8 plants that are the most uniform, I bag the two healthiest. One is enough for seed, but two is safer, in case something, most commonly bud worms, damage your seed pods.

Patch looks great, welcome to the madness.

 

[vinconco]

I accidently moved the picture file so here it is again and one taken 8 days later...... this stuff is really growin'

7/20/14


7/28/14

 

[Knucklehead]

Wow. Just...wow.

 

[skychaser]

Very nice vinconco! No way that could look any better. Nice uniform plants too. They must have come from a good seed source.

 

[Rickey60]

Nice. Not much else you can say. Nice.

 

[vinconco]

Very nice vinconco! No way that could look any better. Nice uniform plants too. They must have come from a good seed source.

The seed came from you Sky.

PM sent

 

[Brown Thumb]

Your grow is Scooby Doo Super Looking.
Nice Job.