Friday, October 10, 2008

Saving Seeds, Part V Cucumbers
















Alright, don't lie, who doesn't like a good Cuke every once in a while...That is unless it gives you gas! UGH! To dedicate the who cucumber post I am going to be posting my very first video! *Round of Applause* The basic gist of this movie is about how organic foods are better for you in a commical way with a little Star Wars twist! I found this really funny when I saw it on "The Thoughtful Vegan" blog site! The quality of the movie is also great. So without further adue. . .




Now for the seriousness of the matter. Cucumbers are such a fun plant to grow! There are all different shapes, sizes, and colors! The most recent variety that I have grown is an heirloom variety called Lemon Cucumber Cucumis sativus. This is such a fun variety that has interest too, so if you have kids or grandkids, this is something you might want to try to get them interested in the art of gardening!
If you are going to start harvesting s
eeds from a cucumber you have to make one sacrifice, one that is very hard to do. . .
I don't know if I can say it. . .

No I must say it. . .
Ok here it goes. . .
You have to let it get WAY over ripe! I know it is hard to believe it but it is true. I know that each time I tried to harvest seeds any other way, they were always too unripe! So be sure that you have some really, really ripe cukes!
When you cut it, make sure you cut it horizontal to were the stem was, or if that was hard to understand, cut it like you would cut a grapefruit! Don't cut it the way I cut it in the picture. I must of got carried away, because I cut it the wrong way! This will insure that you do not cut any seeds in half. With a spoon scoop out all of the seeds in the same way you would with a melon.
or anything, the onlyNow cucumber are easy when it comes to seeds, as that you don't have to wash them thing you have to do is let them dry on a paper towel in a room full of air circulation.
Once the seeds are done they should be, plump and firm like the ones that you would plant.

5 comments:

Dan said...

I've seen these lemon cucumbers in seed catalogs but have never tried one. How do they taste?

Interesting post about snap dragons, I have never grown them before either. Maybe I will put some in my window box next year.

Anonymous said...

Funny video Zach, lol. Those are interesting cukes, I've never seen that variety before. Thanks for the tips on saving seeds from them.

Anonymous said...

Hi Zach :) Glad you left a comment with me or I'd never have found your blog - great stuff here, and well timed because I'd been so curious about seed saving lately. I can see I'll learn a lot from you!
I answered your Question on my blog - lots of solar cooking info there :)

My Mother's Garden said...

What a great video!
Thanks for the seed saving tips!

Esther Montgomery said...

How wonderfully funny (the video).

How very beautiful (the header).

How very interesting (the post).

Esther Montgery
ESTHER IN THE GARDEN