Should You Rotate Plant Families When Saving Seeds?

Why Rotate Plant Families

Rotating plant families when saving seeds is crucial for maintaining genetic diversity within your seed collection. When you save seeds from the same plant family for multiple consecutive years, you increase the risk of inbreeding, which can lead to reduced viability and increased susceptibility to disease. This is particularly important for open-pollinated varieties, which are more susceptible to inbreeding depression than hybrid varieties.

Isolation Distances and Family Rotation

To maintain genetic diversity, it’s recommended to isolate different plant families by at least 10-20 feet (3-6 meters) to prevent cross-pollination. You can also use physical barriers, such as row covers or fine mesh screens, to block pollen transfer between families. For example, if you’re saving seeds from tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, which all belong to the same family (Solanaceae), you should isolate them from each other to prevent cross-pollination.

Storage and Viability

When saving seeds from different plant families, you can store them together in a single container, as long as you’ve maintained proper isolation distances to prevent cross-pollination. To ensure viability, store seeds in a cool, dry place with a consistent temperature between 32°F and 50°F (0°C and 10°C). Check seed viability annually by conducting a germination test with 10-20 seeds. If viability is below 50%, consider replanting the seeds to refresh your stock.