Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Fertiliser use with seed saving?

Collapse

X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
  • #1

    Fertiliser use with seed saving?

    Hello,I've been wondering,is it better to not use any fertilisers when seed saving for seed viability & health of the seed? I wondered chemicals in feed might affect the seed & I found this link that mentions in the conclusion ~
    "Seed shows better performance in terms of seed viability, germination & vigor without fertiliser in the mother plant field 6 months after storage, most probably due to lower seed moisture content." "The lower moisture content of these storage periods may have partly contributed to the maintenance of viability and vigor."

    http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index...le/31803/20680

    I was googling for quite long,its difficult to find out whats the best thing to do. Using fertilisers is what I've always done but I'm wondering if they could have a detrimental affect on the seed,some being worse than others. Or is a little bit of BFB ok? What do you think?
    Location : Essex
    Tags: None
  • #2
    You need to save seeds from strong plants, your best plants. Over use of fertiliser is bad for many many reasons but you also need to nourish your plants. To be honest I don't feed my plants much, I tend to go for a feed the soil approach before planting but have never had problems like that.

    Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

    Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

    Comment

    • #3
      The main thrust of this seems to be about the moisture content of the seed. Surely if they are dried properly it shouldn't make a massive difference. I use organic fertilisers (and the odd handful of Growmore) and have been saving seed for 3 years. I haven't noticed problems with viability or germination - fresh seed seems to almost be rocket-fuelled in terms of growing. Seed from 3 years ago is a little less reliable, but still good at about 60-70%.
      http://mudandgluts.com - growing fruit and veg in suburbia

      Comment

      • #4
        ^^^ I agree. I've been seed saving for years. I use compost from my bins, feed from my wormery, chicken manure etc. also occassionally will add some grow more to my raised beds. I've never had a problem with seed viability or vigor. I always choose the healthiest /best plants, biggest, best example of fruit. I've a very warm kitchen (aga on full time) every seed is thoroughly dried. I can honestly say that I get great results from home saved seed.

        Comment

        • #5
          This is great help thankyou! I need to try & do this properly I usually use miracle grow for nitrogen but I'm not this year because of saving seeds so I need to use something more natural or nothing at all I was thinking for a minute. Thanks for the help.
          Location : Essex

          Comment

          • #6
            Nettle or comfrey tea?

            Comment

            Previous template Next

            Latest Topics

            Collapse
            View All

            Recent Blog Posts

            Collapse
            View All
            Working...
            X