How do I collect and save the seeds from my habanero pepper plant?
I would like to try and grow some more habanero plants from my existing one which has been very productive. Could somebody tell me the best way to do this?
Posted
by: Abby
(7 points)
Posted: April 16, 2013
Answers
If you are saving seed, make sure they are not originally Hybrid plants... If you are using Heirloom Habanero, then, if you keep them from other peppers, these should grow true to your original. A good way to save seeds of all the heirlooms, is to lay them out on TP ( especially the wet seeds, like tomatoes) and when they dry to it, then all you do is tear off the seed with the tp, and plant the whole thing.it will grow fine.
I root my tomato branches that have broken off, in a glass of water, they root well..and are easy to transplant. I do know that pepper plants, like a tomato plant, can be planted deep and they will grow roots on the stem you have planted, which makes them stronger.
One more thing, if you're not sure if they cross pollinated, then by all means, plant the seed and see what you get. You might be surprised in the goodies that will pop out of it!
I root my tomato branches that have broken off, in a glass of water, they root well..and are easy to transplant. I do know that pepper plants, like a tomato plant, can be planted deep and they will grow roots on the stem you have planted, which makes them stronger.
One more thing, if you're not sure if they cross pollinated, then by all means, plant the seed and see what you get. You might be surprised in the goodies that will pop out of it!
Posted
by: Angie Lee Morrow
(18 points)
Posted: April 16, 2013
Are you growing only habaneros, or are you also growing other types of peppers? Peppers are promiscuous, so if you are growing other varieties of peppers, you will need to prevent your habaneros from getting pollinated by other pepper varieties. Do this by getting an organza bag and tying it over a branch before the flowers open. Once the flowers open, shake the branch to distribute the pollen. Mark this branch, and let those peppers ripen fully so that the seeds will be mature. Dry the seeds and save them for next year.
Or you could take a bunch of cuttings and try to root them. I haven't done this with peppers, but I have successfully rooted tomatoes from broken branches. Peppers are more difficult, or so I've read; they benefit from bottom heat (heating mat), a loose medium (vermiculite, DE, etc.), rooting hormone, etc., and can take a few weeks. Rooting the cuttings is the best way to preserve the particular qualities of your special plant, rather than playing genetic roulette with seed.
Or you could take a bunch of cuttings and try to root them. I haven't done this with peppers, but I have successfully rooted tomatoes from broken branches. Peppers are more difficult, or so I've read; they benefit from bottom heat (heating mat), a loose medium (vermiculite, DE, etc.), rooting hormone, etc., and can take a few weeks. Rooting the cuttings is the best way to preserve the particular qualities of your special plant, rather than playing genetic roulette with seed.
Posted
by: Tanya in the Garden
(128 points)
Posted: April 16, 2013
Abby commented,
Hi Tanya, thanks for your answer. I have more than just a habenero. They are currently indoors and have been all winter. I decided to keep my favorites in pots. I think it is probably likely that they have been cross pollinated already at some point over the summer. Oh dear, I should have thought of this earlier! about 11 years ago.
Hi Tanya, thanks for your answer. I have more than just a habenero. They are currently indoors and have been all winter. I decided to keep my favorites in pots. I think it is probably likely that they have been cross pollinated already at some point over the summer. Oh dear, I should have thought of this earlier! about 11 years ago.
Tanya in the Garden commented,
If the plants you have were cross-pollinated last summer, you can still take cuttings, or even save seed this summer if you bag the flowers. Cross-pollination affects only the seed that was produced last summer and has no effect on this year's plant or seed. I'm assuming, of course, that the plants you kept indoors are the ones you want to propagate. about 11 years ago.
If the plants you have were cross-pollinated last summer, you can still take cuttings, or even save seed this summer if you bag the flowers. Cross-pollination affects only the seed that was produced last summer and has no effect on this year's plant or seed. I'm assuming, of course, that the plants you kept indoors are the ones you want to propagate. about 11 years ago.
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