tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552387675026716797.post2838698962136032778..comments2024-03-29T07:05:01.720-05:00Comments on Two Men and a Little Farm: HARVESTING OKRA SEEDS1st Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04861609647607912193noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552387675026716797.post-7388445282825556322016-11-05T02:56:40.177-05:002016-11-05T02:56:40.177-05:00paper bag or envelope is the best way to store,I h...paper bag or envelope is the best way to store,I have viable seed from all sorts of plants, kale, choho, broccoli, collards greens, leeks.....so many and they were all kept in paper. Allowing brassicas to go to seed is good for the bees,especially if they have grown over the summer, they will often flower in the spring, bees love flowers from the allium family as well, so if you find any onions (bought for cooking) that have started to sprout, just plant them in any spare patch, even over winter, and let them flower, they are quite beautiful. Last year I had a particularly tasty little beef tomato and simply scooped the seeds on to a piece of kitchen paper, spread them out and let them dry,then folded the paper and stuck it in an old envelope (even remembered to label it) I sowed them three days ago, just pulled them off the dried paper and they have all germinated, so you don't need to faff around macerating or rinsing, they worked fine. btw, it is spring where I am in NZ.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552387675026716797.post-44675957541851981602016-11-03T01:45:45.655-05:002016-11-03T01:45:45.655-05:00Your probably dry enough there but if you want to ...Your probably dry enough there but if you want to make sure they're extra dry for storage heat some rice on a tray in the oven. Then put these in a maDon jar and let cool. Then add the seed you are saving in an old pair of tights and the rice should draw out the last bit of moisture. Kev Alvitihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552387675026716797.post-91430334145049460862016-11-03T01:25:40.213-05:002016-11-03T01:25:40.213-05:00Start a Garden Binder and put in important informa...Start a Garden Binder and put in important information for you to look back on.Colleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13106960827480062745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552387675026716797.post-29664114271128901522016-11-02T23:53:47.811-05:002016-11-02T23:53:47.811-05:00And yes, DEFINITELY okra Santas, I can't wait ...And yes, DEFINITELY okra Santas, I can't wait for that!!!1st Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04861609647607912193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552387675026716797.post-24673892737479778402016-11-02T23:52:37.313-05:002016-11-02T23:52:37.313-05:00Dried on a string with red peppers? That sounds a...Dried on a string with red peppers? That sounds awesome. I'll have to google and see if I can find some pictures. Love that idea for decorating too. 1st Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04861609647607912193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552387675026716797.post-32648103948662653382016-11-02T23:47:38.856-05:002016-11-02T23:47:38.856-05:00Well now that's smart too!!! I'll remembe...Well now that's smart too!!! I'll remember that one as well. Thanks!!!1st Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04861609647607912193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552387675026716797.post-43481276639299528942016-11-02T23:47:17.137-05:002016-11-02T23:47:17.137-05:00Ooh smart idea, thanks. Oh and wow you are right ...Ooh smart idea, thanks. Oh and wow you are right about those pine needles, they hang around forEVER, ha. 1st Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04861609647607912193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552387675026716797.post-49349858200055840532016-11-02T23:46:31.945-05:002016-11-02T23:46:31.945-05:00I know exactly what you mean. That's interest...I know exactly what you mean. That's interesting, I never thought about it but it makes sense. But yep they just dry out inside and out and become crispy. Thanks and thanks for stopping by!! Comment anytime!!!1st Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04861609647607912193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552387675026716797.post-10228485613018998502016-11-02T23:45:31.660-05:002016-11-02T23:45:31.660-05:00Thank you (and welcome to the blog by the way). I...Thank you (and welcome to the blog by the way). I am going to look for that book, thanks. I don't think this was a hybrid plant, but I need to go back and look at my records. 1st Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04861609647607912193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552387675026716797.post-74889255778914510352016-11-02T23:39:41.466-05:002016-11-02T23:39:41.466-05:00I don't think they were, I'll have to look...I don't think they were, I'll have to look back at the variety. I forgot about that, thanks for the reminder. Hybrids sometimes won't even work. 1st Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04861609647607912193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552387675026716797.post-58343520202399896942016-11-02T23:38:18.954-05:002016-11-02T23:38:18.954-05:00As always, great advice. Thank you so much. I...As always, great advice. Thank you so much. I'm going to have to refer back to this next Spring (or feel free to remind me, ha)1st Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04861609647607912193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552387675026716797.post-70214065047890098262016-11-02T19:16:53.836-05:002016-11-02T19:16:53.836-05:00Mom used to "string" hers with needle an...Mom used to "string" hers with needle and thread through the stalk/cap. Hanged them to dry along with the red peppers until planting time next year. We've sold several for decorations at the family shop.Gailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04219479223227928561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552387675026716797.post-77222266639166286352016-11-02T16:56:17.899-05:002016-11-02T16:56:17.899-05:00A paper grocery bag works well in place of a bowl ...A paper grocery bag works well in place of a bowl for collecting fly away seeds. If you get tough okra next year let some go to seed-pods for Okra Santas!Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14626678045896424852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552387675026716797.post-42953113298756492612016-11-02T16:00:50.071-05:002016-11-02T16:00:50.071-05:00When I have to do anything involving small pieces ...When I have to do anything involving small pieces with the potential for flight, I use a large bowl and put my hands to the bottom to work. Deep is the key component to the large bowl. Also, I have been known to put a sheet on the floor under me and the table. Of course, no matter what you do you will find these seeds forever! I had not had a live tree in several years and found needles up against the baseboard even though I had cleaned/vacuumed there often.<br />pparsimonyLindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14991571309786149363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552387675026716797.post-17867197686653789402016-11-02T15:39:24.096-05:002016-11-02T15:39:24.096-05:00I thought that when okra pods dried they turned in...I thought that when okra pods dried they turned inside out? Like a banana peel kind of, if you can visualize what I am describing.Gerrihttp://www.onlinecollegeplan.com/college-farms/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552387675026716797.post-16359534032602713072016-11-02T13:35:30.231-05:002016-11-02T13:35:30.231-05:00I am fairly new to gardening and am reading a book...I am fairly new to gardening and am reading a book I'd highly recommend if you'd like great, detailed info on saving seeds: "Seed to Seed" by Suzanne Ashworth. It's full of helpful information and from what I've read it's true that if your okra seeds you planted this year were hybrids, the seeds will produce plants that may or may not be like the ones you grew this year. If you want to save seeds, you'll need to start with an open-pollinated variety, not a hybrid. Best of luck!!<br />Audrey W. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16832855010943198496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552387675026716797.post-26859535817843006112016-11-02T13:05:32.244-05:002016-11-02T13:05:32.244-05:00Hopefully yours are not a hybrid variety.
You wil...Hopefully yours are not a hybrid variety. <br />You will get good plants next year only if your okra were not hybrids. If they were hybrids, you'll get plants that produce rather tough pods. Been there, done that. <br />Good luck!Texas Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00547037404676565726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552387675026716797.post-16379761221999834112016-11-02T09:58:26.700-05:002016-11-02T09:58:26.700-05:00When planting time comes around; Soak Okra seeds i...When planting time comes around; Soak Okra seeds in warm - NOT hot - water (120 degrees or less comfortable to the touch). At least 3 inches of water for 24-48 hours with hydrogen peroxide, change twice if possible.Hydrogen peroxide or kelp tea will boost germination as well. If done correctly, the seed should be swollen, a lighter color, and the hull should be softer. Dab them with a paper towel and plant immediately. Colleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13106960827480062745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3552387675026716797.post-69650979851186752812016-11-02T09:53:13.811-05:002016-11-02T09:53:13.811-05:00collecting the seeds either twist the dried pods i...collecting the seeds either twist the dried pods in your hands to break open the seed or slice the pods lengthwise from top to bottom, prying the pods apart at the slit with your fingers -the seed will fall out quite readily. My advice, do this over a large bowl on some sort of deep container as seeds will fly Everywhere as you experienced.<br /><br />Dry the seed thoroughly for several days, then store in a cool, dry place in tightly closed containers until next season. I store all my seeds either in envelopes or small paper bags but I Never store in sealed glass jars or ziplock baggies.<br /><br />Okra seeds have a history of not storing well so you will need to collect new seed each autumn for use the following season. Okra seeds are unlikely to remain viable into their second year. When it is time for replanting, soaks the seed a couple of hours or over night before planting.<br />I have found that seeds that float to the time are no good and I throw them away.<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeBSO8YRzKs<br />Colleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13106960827480062745noreply@blogger.com