Cucumber Seeds

[earthakitten]

Is it possible to grow anything decent from the seeds I saved from last years fruit. They were Ridge Burples.
Thanks xx

[Clanad]

Here's the problem with which you're faced in doing so. Most vegetables sold in stores are hybrids that are developed for some very specific qualities, such as storageability, color, skin thickness and others. This means the cucumber you buy in the store was produced from two parents and will produce that particular vegetable for one generation only . You may not, no, probably won't, get the same cucumber as you'd hoped. Additionally, some seeds from some plants don't pollinate very well due to their hybrid characteristics. You'd be much better off and a lot less likely to be dissapointed by buying a good quality fresh seed packet from a reputable garden supply store... in my opinion... Good growing!

[earthakitten]

Thanks Clanad. You're right. I hate to be disappointed. We had such lovely ones last year, Petita as well. Wilkinsons have a BOGOF on seeds at the moment so I will go and get some. Thanks again. xx

[WendyS]

I fear Clanad is right is that many of these varieties are F1 Hybrids which mean they don't reproduce themselves truly from their own seed. I've particularly experienced this with cucumbers and squashes which I believe are part of the same family. Last year a self-sown F1 Hybrid Mini cucumber from some rotted seed in the soil produced a vigorous plant with lots of cucumbers, but the skin was very prickly like a cactus, instead of its parent's smooth skinned variety. Similarly, I've found that winter squashes grown from saved seed produce fruit, but not necessarily the same colour or variety as their parent. So whilst you will probably get a crop, the results may be disappointing. Probably better to grow from fresh seed unless you grow varieties which are not F1 hybrids, in which case your saved seed should produce perfectly accepable results.