This may seem like a ridiculous question, but I've searched for info on it in all my books (and online) and can't seem to find an answer.
I have several bean and pea trellises that are producing prolifically right now, but I'd like to plant another crop to harvest in the autumn. I've been letting some pods dry on the vine so I can plant the seeds, but I'm curious as to whether they would grow if I just planted them fresh.
Has anyone else tried this to good effect? Or is there a certain magic to the germination process that won't spark if legumes are planted while still juicy?
"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world."
- John Muir
I've never done it, so someone else may answer differently, but I assume planting fresh peas/beans will not give as good germination as ones allowed to dry on the vine.
The reason I think this is because the fresh peas might not be fully developed into a fertile seed if you pick them too soon. If you allow them to dry on the vine, the plant has finished its seed production and it should be fertile.
When I was taught to save seeds it seems the reason for letting them dry really well is so that the seeds are mature enough to germinate.
Invasive plants are Earth's way of insisting we notice her medicines. Stephen Herrod Buhner
Everyone learns what works by learning what doesn't work. Stephen Herrod Buhner
Please do experiment and let us know the outcome. I have seen examples of tomato, strawberry and apple seeds germinating whilst still on/in the fruit so your beans and peas ought to germinate?
I shall! And thank you. :)
That's the thing... I've had pumpkin seeds germinate right after being tossed into compost, and I've also planted fresh tomato seeds, but nobody I know has ever (EVER!) tried it with peas.
Okay, I'll try it out, see what happens, and report back. <3
"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world."
- John Muir
I've had peas germinate in the pod when it was to wet and I was trying to dry them so you may well be able to just go with "wet" seeds so long as they are mature.
I feel like I've seen this discussed here before and someone (I'm thinking Joseph Lofthouse) said that they will germinate. I did a quick search and didn't find anything immediately, though. I feel like it was an aside in a different but related conversation. I know for sure he's talked about seeds being mature enough to germinate way before you might think.