I've decided to grow some asparagus from seed and wondered if anyone can recommend a variety?
The only advice I can find suggesting one variety over and above all the others is in KG 03/06 where Bob Flowerdew recommends 'Gijnlim'. Having said that, I can't find a stockist of this seed so any other suggestions would be gratefully received!
Thanks in advance, June.
Best asparagus variety to grow from seed
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Hi June,
I have grown a great many varieties of Asparagus and
probably the best I have grown is choice of Martha Washington and Mary Washington and both turned out very well. Gijnlim is an all male variety when bought as plants but I suspect that sowing from seed you would get female plants as well. Professionally they sell two year old plants and treat the seedlings to make them flower in the first year and the females are rejected. So as far as I am concerned you may as well grow the older varrieties.
JB.
I have grown a great many varieties of Asparagus and
probably the best I have grown is choice of Martha Washington and Mary Washington and both turned out very well. Gijnlim is an all male variety when bought as plants but I suspect that sowing from seed you would get female plants as well. Professionally they sell two year old plants and treat the seedlings to make them flower in the first year and the females are rejected. So as far as I am concerned you may as well grow the older varrieties.
JB.
Hi JB,
Thanks for that. I must admit I'm a bit confused regarding male and female varieties. The variety I have at home, which I think is Gijnlim has actually produced red berries containing seeds. Does this mean it has produced some female shoots this year and if so how are they recognised and got rid of? The books say to get rid of female plants on all male varieties but are not very clear on how to go about this!
If I do grow an older variety (which I am now tempted to) do I need to worry at all about the male/female plant problems?
Incidentally, now my plants at home have seeds on them my husband asked me why can't we just sow these?! I'm sure it's not that straightforward but couldn't really explain to him why!
Thanks again, June.
Thanks for that. I must admit I'm a bit confused regarding male and female varieties. The variety I have at home, which I think is Gijnlim has actually produced red berries containing seeds. Does this mean it has produced some female shoots this year and if so how are they recognised and got rid of? The books say to get rid of female plants on all male varieties but are not very clear on how to go about this!
If I do grow an older variety (which I am now tempted to) do I need to worry at all about the male/female plant problems?
Incidentally, now my plants at home have seeds on them my husband asked me why can't we just sow these?! I'm sure it's not that straightforward but couldn't really explain to him why!
Thanks again, June.
Hi June,
You would think that your husband has a very valid point but remember they are an F1 Hybrid and you are unlikely to get the same plant but the snag is that you are a long way down the road before you actually find out. My advice is to stick to plan 'A' and sow something entirely different.
Basically what you would be doing is back breeding with the Male progeny of the F1 Hybrid and the female progeny of the F1 Hybrid and you would get something unknown. Certainly a different animal!!
If you do not understand what I mean do PM me and I will try and rephrase it for you.
JB.
You would think that your husband has a very valid point but remember they are an F1 Hybrid and you are unlikely to get the same plant but the snag is that you are a long way down the road before you actually find out. My advice is to stick to plan 'A' and sow something entirely different.
Basically what you would be doing is back breeding with the Male progeny of the F1 Hybrid and the female progeny of the F1 Hybrid and you would get something unknown. Certainly a different animal!!
If you do not understand what I mean do PM me and I will try and rephrase it for you.
JB.
Hello again,
Yes, I am with you (I knew my Biology O Level would eventually come in useful for somthing!!)
Looks like Mary Washington it is, then! Will the seeds from these produce male and female plants and do I then have to do anything? (sorry if I'm getting a bit bogged down with detail here but I'm more than happy to be patient with a crop like asparagus and would rather get it right at the outset!)
Thanks for the very good advice, June.
Yes, I am with you (I knew my Biology O Level would eventually come in useful for somthing!!)
Looks like Mary Washington it is, then! Will the seeds from these produce male and female plants and do I then have to do anything? (sorry if I'm getting a bit bogged down with detail here but I'm more than happy to be patient with a crop like asparagus and would rather get it right at the outset!)
Thanks for the very good advice, June.