OLD YELLER PART II - SAVING CUCUMBER SEEDS IS EASY!

OLD YELLER, POST PLUCKAGE

In our first installment about saving cucumber seeds we had plucked an elderly, yellowed cucumber from our patch and set it aside to soften, to simplify the process of separating the seeds from the pulp that will result.

SUCCESS - CUCUMBER PULLS APART UNDER LIGHT FINGER PRESSURE

Timing is by no means critical for success in this project but in this case we were very lucky. This cucumber literally fell apart under mild finger pressure; the natural fermentation process which frees the seeds to germinate on their own is already underway.

We removed all the chunky, non seed bearing portions and placed the remainder in a container with about a quart of water, stirring mildly to blend seeds, pulp and water as evenly as possible. Most containers, glass, food grade plastic or as in this case, an old pot from a crock pot that had burned out long ago will do just fine. Do clean the container thoroughly first, however.

SEEDS AND PULP FLOATING IN CLEAN WATER IN CROCK POT
 

If you have the pots original lid, simply put it in place and store the crock in a room temperature, dimly lit environment until the fermentation process has freed the bulk of the seeds. Most folks start with a sturdier cucumber than we have here; the process might take as long as 5 days.

In this case I'm betting on less than 72 hours but we shall see. Once a day open and examine the contents of the crock, stirring lightly. When almost all the seeds are on the bottom, it is time for phase 3 of our seed saving process, This will be detailed in another post, shortly.

Perhaps you do not have the pots' original lid? You do want to cover the crock. If you have a plate that fits properly, that is fine or you can make do with plastic, as we have here.

PLASTIC SECURED WITH RUBBER BAND MAKES A SUITABLE COVER

Poke several holes in the plastic to allow the fermentation gases to escape, and you are well on your way to starting your own stock of heirloom cucumber seeds!

That is about all we have for today, thanks as always for visiting Uncle Mac's Garden Shed!