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Are saved seeds better than shop bought?

Hi,

Last year I grew runner beans (Scarlett Emperor). I thought it would be fun to save some seed to grow again this year. So I left the pods to go brown and then Ive kept the seeds on my window for the past year. (ie: I forgot Id left them there!  :D )

Ive just compared the size of the seeds Id saved to the ones in the packet. The ones Ive saved are about twice the size!

1) Is this normal?
2) Should I plant the ones I saved; or is it safer to plant the ones out of the packet?

Thanks


Posts

  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    For something like runner beans, saved seed should be great. Many gardeners swear by self saved seed as they tend to be adapted to your conditions, also you know how old the seed is. Note that most packs of seed state "packed in the year ending xxxx" not when they were harvested, many do give a best before date though.
    Some other crops/ seeds are more difficult though, the cucurbit family (courgette, pumpkin, squash etc) all cross pollinate very readily, so unless you take steps to avoid that saved seed may not come  "true to type". The same goes for F1 hybrid plants their seed will revert to the two parent plant characteristics unless you are very lucky.
    AB Still learning

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