Unlocking the Secrets of Seed Saving for Cut Flowers with Roz Chandler

Text Agony Aunt Roz with your Cutflower Questions.

Welcome to The Cutflower Podcast. Today, I'm excited to delve into a topic that's recently captured my fascination: seed saving for cut flowers. 

Episode Summary:

In this episode, I discuss the many benefits of seed saving, including the preservation of flower varieties, cost efficiency, and promoting sustainability. We explore different types of flowers suitable for seed saving, from open-pollinated to self-pollinating and cross-pollinating flowers. I also provide a step-by-step guide on how to save seeds effectively, from selecting the best flowers to proper storage techniques. Additionally, I address common challenges and offer practical solutions to ensure success in your seed-saving efforts.

Key Takeaways:

1. Why Save Seeds: Understand the importance of preserving heirloom varieties, reducing costs, and promoting biodiversity by saving your own seeds.
2. Types of Flowers for Seed Saving: Learn about open-pollinated, hybrid, self-pollinating, and cross-pollinating flowers, and how to choose the best types for beginners.
3. Steps to Save Seeds: Follow a detailed guide on selecting, collecting, cleaning, drying, and storing seeds to ensure successful seed saving.
4. Challenges and Solutions: Discover common challenges such as cross-pollination and disease, and how to address them with techniques like isolation and proper storage.
5. Beginner Tips: Get practical tips for beginners, including choosing easy-to-save annual flowers like marigolds, sunflowers, and zinnias, and the importance of proper labelling and record-keeping.
6. Isolation Methods: Explore various methods to prevent cross-pollination, such as using physical barriers, timed planting, hand pollination, and companion planting.

Sponsors: 

• Proud sponsors of The Cutflower Podcast. Elevate your gift-giving game today at Brunchi.shop. Discover the perfect artisan gift at Brunchi.shop! From aromatherapy and candles to gemstones, jewelry, home & garden items, yoga supplies, and more, our eco-friendly treasures are sourced from around the world. Enjoy the convenience of worldwide delivery and find unique, thoughtful gifts for every occasion. 
• This podcast episode is sponsored by First Tunnels, leaders in domestic and commercial product tunnels.  We've helped extend the growing season for gardeners big and small...whether you're growing fruit and vegetables for you and your family or commercial crops, plants and flowers. 

• https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/newsletters
• A Cut Above Waitlist: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/ACutAboveWaitlist
• The Growth Club: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/thegrowthclub
• Lots of free resources on our website: https://thecutflowercollective.co.uk/cut-flower-resources/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fieldgateflowers
• Facebook Group 'Cut Flower Farming - Growth and Profit in your business' https://www.facebook.com/groups/449543639411874
• Facebook Group 'The Cut Flower Collection' https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutflowercollection