Quick question regarding seed saving

[northepaul]

Hoping its not too obvious, but my red russian kale is flowering like mad, can I save the seeds from them, will they be viable seeds and if so, should I leave the pods to dry on the plant or collect them?
Thanks x

[Green sage]

In my experience cabbages cross pollinate with other members of the Brassica family quite freely, so your best bet would be to get new seed next year. however this dose not mean you couldn't save to seed to see what you get growing, you never know you might producing a new and exciting variety.

[Two_Sheds]

they will also breed with brassica weeds, such as charlock (I think). I wouldn't waste time trying to collect seed from them, try something easier

Or, if you like a challenge, have a go: How To Save Seed

[King Carrot]

I’m saving an Irish Heritage Kale at the mo. I’ve got around 35 plants in a block and plan to save seed only from the very inner 5 or 6 plants. Hopefully any insect or bee would theoretically visit an outside flower before pollinating the inner ones, limiting the chance of a cross. I’m also culling any other brassicas before they can flower and keeping my eyes open for the wild ones. This variety is called “Uncle John’s Kale” and I got it from Irish seedsavers a few years ago. It’s so good and as I can’t seem to buy the seed I’m having a go at getting enough seed for a few years.

Has anyone grown an identical kale called something else, just in case my experiment fails, be nice to have a back up that’s nearly the same?

[northepaul]

OK thanks for that, saved me wasting my time as the kale is next to my PSB and other types of kale.

[planetologist]

I've saved kale a number of times, and it still looks the same. To be sure, I do only allow one cabbage to flower at a time. So I guess that any wild cabbage that might grow on the other side of the hedge is not a problem.