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#1
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Lettuce seeds
I have a red leaf (prize head) lettuce and wanted to know in order to obtain
viable seeds do I need 2 plants? In other words are lettuce plants self germinating? |
#2
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Lettuce seeds
"Mike" wrote:
I have a red leaf (prize head) lettuce and wanted to know in order to obtain viable seeds do I need 2 plants? In other words are lettuce plants self germinating? They're self-fertile, so you can get good seed from 1 plant. Gary Woods AKA K2AHC- PGP key on request, or at home.earthlink.net/~garygarlic Zone 5/6 in upstate New York, 1420' elevation. NY WO G |
#3
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Lettuce seeds
"Steve" wrote in message .us.easynews.com... On Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:33 GMT, "Mike" wrote: I have a red leaf (prize head) lettuce and wanted to know in order to obtain viable seeds do I need 2 plants? In other words are lettuce plants self germinating? I think you meant self-pollonating, and most lettuce are. Is this plant a hybrid? Was it the only lettuce you or your neighbors grew? (Lettuce crosses very easily). Was this the plant that bolted last? Yep, I meant to say self pollinating. No the lettuce isn't a hybrid, it was grown from seed planted directly from a retail seed packet. The plant was saved to obtain seeds because it showed the most robust growth. I don't have all my lettuce growing in the same spot, this particular Red leaf and a Butter head were finished first because they grew in another area with more sunlight. I'am still harvesting lettuce to eat in the somewhat shaded area. Which is the only area I can plant in the ground, and is adjacent to my neighbor's 2-story house, on top of that the idiot likes to plant palm trees everywhere blocking out more winter sunlight. So, are you telling me these 2 different species of lettuce can cross pollinate? I had 2 of each in different pots but since you told me, I now have 1 of each that are sitting about 20 feet apart. |
#4
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Lettuce seeds
"Steve" wrote in message .us.easynews.com... On Fri, 01 May 2009 17:35:13 GMT, "Mike" wrote: "Steve" wrote in message s.us.easynews.com... On Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:33 GMT, "Mike" wrote: I have a red leaf (prize head) lettuce and wanted to know in order to obtain viable seeds do I need 2 plants? In other words are lettuce plants self germinating? I think you meant self-pollonating, and most lettuce are. Is this plant a hybrid? Was it the only lettuce you or your neighbors grew? (Lettuce crosses very easily). Was this the plant that bolted last? Yep, I meant to say self pollinating. No the lettuce isn't a hybrid, it was grown from seed planted directly from a retail seed packet. The plant was saved to obtain seeds because it showed the most robust growth. I don't have all my lettuce growing in the same spot, this particular Red leaf and a Butter head were finished first because they grew in another area with more sunlight. I'am still harvesting lettuce to eat in the somewhat shaded area. Which is the only area I can plant in the ground, and is adjacent to my neighbor's 2-story house, on top of that the idiot likes to plant palm trees everywhere blocking out more winter sunlight. So, are you telling me these 2 different species of lettuce can cross pollinate? I had 2 of each in different pots but since you told me, I now have 1 of each that are sitting about 20 feet apart. Yes, unfortunately lettuce crosses very easily. The forum at SeedSavers can offer some help with protecting and saving your seeds, so that your results will fulfill your wishes. |
#5
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Lettuce seeds
"Steve" wrote in message .us.easynews.com... On Fri, 01 May 2009 17:35:13 GMT, "Mike" wrote: "Steve" wrote in message s.us.easynews.com... On Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:33 GMT, "Mike" wrote: So, are you telling me these 2 different species of lettuce can cross pollinate? I had 2 of each in different pots but since you told me, I now have 1 of each that are sitting about 20 feet apart. Yes, unfortunately lettuce crosses very easily. The forum at SeedSavers can offer some help with protecting and saving your seeds, so that your results will fulfill your wishes. Thanks I'll give it a look, and in the mean time put as much distance between the 2 species as possible : ) |
#6
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Lettuce seeds
"Mike" wrote:
Thanks I'll give it a look, and in the mean time put as much distance between the 2 species as possible : ) A couple of thoughts: Suzanne Ashworth's "Seed to Seed*," which many of us regard as Holy Writ, says all the florets in a head open at once and essentially self-pollinate and shortly after close and never re-open. She says side by side plants may cross as much as 5% if the flowers are open at the same time and insects are active. I know the lady at the Seed Savers Exchange farm doesn't worry much about the varieties in the greenhouse there crossing. I haven't seen any crossing, but I only have a few varieties and keep them 20 or 30 feet apart, along with my usual lackadaisical planting methods, which make flowering time well spaced out... *If you're going to do much seed saving, get yourself a copy. Gary Woods AKA K2AHC- PGP key on request, or at home.earthlink.net/~garygarlic Zone 5/6 in upstate New York, 1420' elevation. NY WO G |
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