Help from seed savers

[HunkieDorie23]

I was wanting to save seeds this year from my tomatoes and peppers. From reading about cross pollination on this site, I am not sure how to do this.

How far apart do I need to plant tomatoes and peppers to prevent this . I am planning on planting 6-7 types of tomatoes and 4-5 types of peppers.

 

[old fashioned]

I'm not an expert but I've not had a problem planting several varieties close together. And I've planted tomatoes & peppers next to each other (within 2 feet). I don't think they would cross since neither are wind pollinated like corn is.

But maybe someone more knowledgable will come along with better answers. (and tell me I'm doing it wrong )

 

[boggybranch]

Cross pollination can be done by bees, too

 

[boggybranch]

Check the info on this link:

http://howtosaveseeds.com/isolate.php

 

[old fashioned]

I knew it was too good to be true, but thanks for the link. I'll do better this year now that I know.

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

here's a good site for getting seeds but they also list how far apart from other varieties to keep them. if you have a small back yard, saving seeds and keeping them pure is not always possible.

good luck with it!
http://www.seedsavers.org/instructions.htm#beet

 

[OaklandCityFarmer]

Many may disagree but I don't risk cross-pollination although many believe that tomatoes are low risk. There are 2 ways that we save seeds from these varieties and both require not much work or involvement.

1. Select the about to open flowers on the plant at 2 different positions and cover with a small (lunch size type) paper bag. I've found the white ones work better in letting more sun in but don't 'breathe' as well as the brown ones. Or you can use an old pair of thin leggings/pantyhose that have no holes, which can be risky since pollen can slip in the tiny holes.

2. When the flowers open, use a small, clean paint brush or cotton ended swab to hand pollinate the flowers. Cover back up and let them do their thing.

3. When fruits form, remove the bags, label the fruit, we usually use a piece of yarn tied around the stem for this.

4. Let the fruit ripen, I mean really ripen on the vine. Collect and process as you would seeds (which is another thread).

Hope this helps.
Carlos

 

[vfem]

Pat had a good suggestion to self pollinate any flower on your tomatoes or peppers you know you will want to keep seed from. (Just 1 or 2 fruits per plant will do) Just ask Oakland suggested above.

Cover said flower after you've pollinated it with some cheese cloth or tulle, loosely tied. Then when the fruit starts to immerge just leave the cloth hanging on the stem so you know that fruit is the one that has the ok seeds to save. Then let it finish its cycle.

Simple, and cross pollination in the most part won't affect taste of your tomatoes. Though I've heard sometimes a hot pepper plant cross pollinating with a sweet pepper can make the sweet pepper spicy. Though I've never witnessed it.

That should give you some hope.

 

[HunkieDorie23]

Thanks for all the links. I have about 5 acreas so hopefully I can find a way to make this work. Gotta go and read!

 

[HunkieDorie23]

Wow, 500 ft for peppers is a lot of space. What happens to your seeds if you do cross pollinate hot peppers? Is it that bad? Say my Chili's and Jalapeno are next to each other . . . what the worse that can happen?

Tomatoes don't seem to need as much space and I'll be able to do that. I think if I just separate them in my garden I can isolate 3 types and find a place near the house for some of the others.