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citygirlgardener

How to Save Shallot Seed?

citygirlgardener
14 years ago

I have never saved shallot seed. I have been growing my shallots from saved sets, and don't know the type that I'm growing. I have noticed that three or four have flowers and wanted to save the seed and try them out, any seed saving suggetions? i.e, how long to leave the heads on, collecting, storage, ect... I aplogize in advance, but I will try saving a lot of seed this year and have never done it so I will have many questions for this forum...

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Comments (3)

  • remy_gw
    14 years ago

    Hi,
    Allium family plants either make seeds or form bulbils. Seeds are hard dark little chip shaped things, and bulbils are like tiny onions all grouped together. I believe shallots make seeds. So you just need to let them flower and once the flower dries up, you wait for the tiny pods(if you look close you will see that each pod is in 3 sections) clustered together in a ball to start to open and reveal the seed. At that point pick them into a bag and then bring them inside to separate the seed. On the link below is a good pic of a ripe onion seed head and seeds.

    On plants that make bulbils, you let them develop at the top of the stalk. In late fall or when then the stalks start to die down, you pick the bulbils, separate them, and plant them right then to where you want them to grow.
    Remy

    Here is a link that might be useful:

  • citygirlgardener
    Original Author
    14 years ago

    Thank you so much Remy. You have answered my question wonderfully. I have enjoyed reading your answers in here. I am really trying to save as much seed this year as possible and I am very new to seed saving, so I will probably have a lot of questions. Happy Gardening!!!

  • remy_gw
    14 years ago

    You're welcome. Don't worry if you have questions ask! : )
    Remy

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