Sesame seeds- Maturity?

garnetmoth · September 24, 2009

Ok, I have some sesame growing in a big pot, theyve set numerous pods, and out of curiosity I picked one yesterday. the seeds arent colored up yet (its a dark mix) or hard. its been a bit wet here, but the plants dont look sick. Should I bring them in the mud room (inside but gets some sun) to let them dry out? It would make sense that they need some heat or dryness to finish ripening, but we dont have that available right now!

tessa · September 24, 2009

hey garnetmoth...i would love to see some pics, if you have any.

garnetmoth · September 25, 2009

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...bllpQYPF4CtMaQ

Here is a nice pic I found online. Mine arent quite as well loaded. but you get the idea. its a soft-leafed herb with upright pods about as tall as the last digit of your finger, but thinner.

woo!

tessa · September 27, 2009

wow. really?
so...can you start them from the seeds in the cupboard?

garnetmoth · September 28, 2009

thats a great question. if theyre toasted seeds, theyre probably dead. You can always try it! I have heard that poppy seeds are often viable, im not sure how they usually treat sesame seeds.

they take a loooong time, but its springish over where you are :-) i think they are frost tender, so you could try some in a windowsill now if its still getting chilly. they transplanted pretty well for me, I tried to be careful, but theyre less delicate than lettuce transplants.

tessa · September 28, 2009

thanks garnet.
i may try it...just to see!

garnetmoth · October 26, 2009

so i brought the planter of these closer to the house, the leaves are pretty ratty looking, and the tops have just started splitting on about 1/3 of the pods! they seem a little moist/ not mature yet because they are brown ones, and i got a few white ones (guessing im popping off the hulls, either way they feel soft and Im going to play it on the safe side)

they "open Sesame" but not as dramatically as some seed pods. it has been a little moist here so maybe thats kept them from shattering.

September 24, 2009	#1
garnetmoth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: cincinnati, oh Posts: 492	Sesame seeds- Maturity? Ok, I have some sesame growing in a big pot, theyve set numerous pods, and out of curiosity I picked one yesterday. the seeds arent colored up yet (its a dark mix) or hard. its been a bit wet here, but the plants dont look sick. Should I bring them in the mud room (inside but gets some sun) to let them dry out? It would make sense that they need some heat or dryness to finish ripening, but we dont have that available right now!

September 28, 2009	#5
garnetmoth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: cincinnati, oh Posts: 492	thats a great question. if theyre toasted seeds, theyre probably dead. You can always try it! I have heard that poppy seeds are often viable, im not sure how they usually treat sesame seeds. they take a loooong time, but its springish over where you are :-) i think they are frost tender, so you could try some in a windowsill now if its still getting chilly. they transplanted pretty well for me, I tried to be careful, but theyre less delicate than lettuce transplants. Last edited by garnetmoth; September 28, 2009 at 09:38 AM. Reason: thought

September 24, 2009	#2
tessa Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: perth, western australia Posts: 1,031	hey garnetmoth...i would love to see some pics, if you have any.

September 25, 2009	#3
garnetmoth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: cincinnati, oh Posts: 492	http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...bllpQYPF4CtMaQ Here is a nice pic I found online. Mine arent quite as well loaded. but you get the idea. its a soft-leafed herb with upright pods about as tall as the last digit of your finger, but thinner. woo!

September 27, 2009	#4
tessa Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: perth, western australia Posts: 1,031	wow. really? so...can you start them from the seeds in the cupboard?

October 26, 2009	#7
garnetmoth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: cincinnati, oh Posts: 492	so i brought the planter of these closer to the house, the leaves are pretty ratty looking, and the tops have just started splitting on about 1/3 of the pods! they seem a little moist/ not mature yet because they are brown ones, and i got a few white ones (guessing im popping off the hulls, either way they feel soft and Im going to play it on the safe side) they "open Sesame" but not as dramatically as some seed pods. it has been a little moist here so maybe thats kept them from shattering.