Description
Botanical name : Brassica napus
Synonyms :
Common name : Canola, Rapeseed, Siberian Kale
Summary
- Easy/Intermediate/Challenge
- Lifecycle: (annual or biennial or perennial)
- Pollination: (self, insect, wind, multiple)
- Mating system: short description, including flower type (perfect, monoecious, dioecious etc)
- Suggested spacing: (Same as for eating production or ?)
- Seed specific requirements: (long or short day? Vernalisation? or…whatever)
- Isolation distance: recommendation?
- Population size: (reasonable guide for variety maintenance)
- Seed maturity: short description of when seed can be harvested
- Processing method: dry/wet ferment etc.
- Expected seed viability: (in years)
Images
- Small image that represents the plant, flowers or fruits and seeds.
- Seed
- Seedling
- Plant at eating stage (if leafy green etc. not fruit)
- Plant at flowering
- Plant fruit
- Harvest time
Growing for seed
- What do we need to know when growing for seed? Is it the same as growing for eating?
- Fuller explanations of the items in the summary box where required. Highlight any particular challenges for this species.
Selection
- What are we looking for in good seed plants?
- How do we identify off types? Shape? Size? Flavour? Colour?
- Should we remove plants that are more susceptible to pest or disease from the gene pool?
Diseases & Pests (Optional section)
- Anything of note for this species and varieties.
Harvest
- How and when do we harvest for seed?
- What are the options for harvesting seed material?
- How do we tell when the seed is mature?
- Are there post harvest actions that should be taken?
Processing
- Is post-harvest (after) ripening required or recommended?
- How do we separate the seed from the plant material?
- What does the seed look like?
- Is it wet or dry processed?
- How is it done?
- Sieved? Winnowed? Fermented?
Cultivation
- How is it grown?
- Sowing dates. Suitable climates. Germination temps etc?
History
- Any relevant historical info regarding origins, cultivation and other salient details.
Uses
- How is it used?
- How to eat or cook it?
Contributors: Who contributed to this page.
Other Resources
- Links to other sites and videos that are useful
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