[Syrupmakers] Mississippi Foundation Seed

[Richard Harrison]

Kevin,
      I'm kinda glad that I still have some sweet sorghum seed in the freezer. I haven't planted any in over 2 years now because of droughts. If I plant this year, I may consider saving some seed heads come harvest time.
                                                         Richard

Kevin Harbin <kharbin at nctv.com> wrote:
      Richard, 
  I'm still new at syrupmaking, 2008 being my 5th year.  Here's what I can say about saving seed...Being new, I don't get a whole lot of help in my syrupmaking.  I have a few that show up to help and spectate, but it's such a busy 2 or 3 weeks leading up to and then the actual syrupmaking.  That being said, by the time that Saturday is over, I just can't bring myself to gather up the heads and thresh them for seed.  It's easier for me to relax and just order some seed the next spring.  Plus the birds love scavenging the seed out of the pile of heads.  Plus, a 5 lb bag will last me at least 2 years.  I just throw what I don't use in the freezer.
   
   
  Kevin S. Harbin

    
---------------------------------
  From: syrupmakers-bounces at syrupmakers.net [mailto:syrupmakers-bounces at syrupmakers.net] On Behalf Of Richard Harrison
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2008 6:29 PM
To: syrupmakers at syrupmakers.net
Subject: Re: [Syrupmakers] Mississippi Foundation Seed


  
  Kevin,
     2 questions: (1) doesn't anyone save open-pollinated seed of these varieties?
                        (2) wouldn't open-pollinated seeds(assuming that only the same variety were being grown in the patch) be about as good as the foundation seed from MSU ? I mean genetically speaking and not necessarily quality or germination percentage. I know people that have saved Dale seed from seedheads for planting. I understand that the named varieties are selections rather than genetic hand-pollinated crosses.
                                                    Richard

Kevin Harbin <kharbin at nctv.com> wrote:
      Some may already know this, but I spoke to Randy at MSU Foundation Seed today to order this years seed.  He told me that for the month of February, they are selling only to people that have ordered from them in the past.  As of March 1, it will be first come/first served.  He said they have enormous requests from organizations interested in sweet sorghum for ethanol purposes, and they felt it was only fair to those of us that have ordered previously to give us first shot.  Kudos to them!!  Anyway, just thought I'd get this out there to anyone that might be waiting to order their seed for this year.  I got 5 lb of M81 non treated.  Going to give it a shot this year.  
   
   
  Kevin S. Harbin
  Seneca, SC 
   
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