Why Save Garden Seeds — Gusto Bell Peppers
Seed companies come and seed companies go. The garden seeds you like best therefore may not be available next time you’re ready to purchase. That’s what happened to me with Gusto bell peppers. For the past several years I have not found a single supplier that carries Gusto. So I’m happy that I thought to save garden seeds from gusto peppers over the past 12 years.
Gusto Bell Peppers
First let me point out that “my” Gusto is not the same as a hot pepper called Gusto. The Gusto I’m referring to is definitely a sweet bell pepper. Last fall I gave a shopping bag full to a delighted acquaintance. She said she ate them like apples.
This Gusto is a fast-growing open-pollinated plant that produces an abundance of juicy, thick-walled peppers in both spring and fall (but not during the heat of summer), and is (at least in my garden) impervious to pests and diseases.
The only issue I have with Gusto is that the peppers are so numerous and heavy they break branches off the plants if I’m not careful to tie them to a support. That’s a problem I’m happy to deal with!
Gusto bell peppers were developed by Harris Moran (formerly Harris) Seed Company of Modesto, California. A news release published by the company in 2000 reads: “Gusto, an elite OP, performs as well as many hybrids. It continues to be the top choice for a vigorous and reliable OP for fresh market or processing.” More description appears at Dave’s Garden.
Harris Moran (or rather their parent company, HM-Clause) lists Seeds of Change as one of their dealers, but SofC does not offer Gusto on their site. Neither does anyone else, that I’ve been able to determine. So my seed saving efforts have really paid off.
Saving Pepper Seeds
Saving pepper seeds is particularly easy. One reason is because their flowers are self-pollinating. To avoid any possibility of cross pollination with other peppers in my garden, I save the first fruits from each plant. Although I often save viable seeds from green peppers, it’s better to let them mature by leaving them on the plant until they fully ripen, turn red, and begin to wrinkle.
Another reason pepper seeds are easy to save is because they readily separate from the fruit. I just shake them out and spread them on a dinner plate to dry.
When the seeds are fully dry I put them in a little glass bottle and label them as to contents and year. I organize my garden seeds in small plastic snap-lid boxes, each containing a silica-gel desiccant pack to absorb moisture.
Seeds need to be stored in a cool, dark place with low humidity. The refrigerator is ideal. Some people store their seeds in the freezer. I don’t have room in either the fridge or freezer for all my seeds, so I store mine in the next best place — the food pantry.
The life of pepper seeds is 3 to 5 years, after which they become difficult to germinate. The longer seeds are stored, the harder their coats get, and the more difficulty water has penetrating the hardened coat so the seeds can sprout. Older seeds therefore need a little coaxing. Presprouting is a good coaxer, and is done using the same method as testing seeds for germination rate.