Saving Purslane Seeds

[TastyofHasty]

Since purslane grows as a weed, I wondered why I'd never noticed seeds on it before. This year I grew it in containers on the deck, it grew quite big, and yep, the seeds are right there. This is "green purslane" from BC:
Purslane Flower:
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb300/buckette/005.jpg

Purslane seed pods, when these have turned dark brown, or even tan, they pop open and off at a touch:
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb300/buckette/008.jpg

Seeds and some pods collected in a plain envelope:
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb300/buckette/011.jpg

Dump through a sieve into a bowl:
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb300/buckette/012.jpg

[TastyofHasty]

Voila. Saved purslane seed.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb300/buckette/013.jpg

And there's a lot more coming.:)

[mjc]

Purslane seed pods, when these have turned dark brown, or even tan, they pop open and off at a touch:


That's why it is such a successful weed...it very easily self seeds.

[TastyofHasty]

I planted it in a garden area last year; no new purslane this year. That's why I'm saving seeds. I like its tasty Omega 3-rich leaves, the more the better.

[SherylGallant]

I have purslane too. It starts wild and I just let it grow where it comes up in the garden.

[Karl M]

Purslane has become one of my favorite garden nibbles. It grows all over in the garden. I have never saved seed from it. I just let it self sow.

[TastyofHasty]

I think purslane is one of the rabbits' favorite garden nibbles around here. I've never seen purslane growing wild here. So for the rabbits it's a treat! Pesky wabbits! I planted either all or almost all of my seed (can't remember) this spring in a patch in the garden, hoping for a nice patch of purslane for ME. Hah! Eaten down to the ground. I need more BIG pots .... and good dirt to fill 'em with, of course.

[itlajfk]

I have it growing like crazy as well, in fact, I dig it up and toss it into the compost heap. I know people eat it, but my question is, what do you do with it? Cook it, eat it raw? I'd love to try it, but at the same time, I'm a little freaked about eating a weed. Stupid, I know...

[adobo]

I have it growing like crazy as well, in fact, I dig it up and toss it into the compost heap. I know people eat it, but my question is, what do you do with it? Cook it, eat it raw? I'd love to try it, but at the same time, I'm a little freaked about eating a weed. Stupid, I know...

i have the same question too..

[Karl M]

I just eat it raw. It tastes great. It has a little bit of sourness. It seems to me to be more sour early in the morning. I have read that it is one of the healthiest plants to eat. Omega 3's as Tasty mentioned above but a lot minerals as well. All parts of the plant are edible. I know it can be cooked and pickled but I have no experience with that.

[alancoop]

A weed is just a wildflower in the wrong place

[BeckyW]

Jealous!!!!
My small planting was up and growing nicely then within 24 hrs POOF ... gone!! I've decided to plant it here in town next year and not out in the open garden on the farm. Too many critters, grasshoppers, who knows what?!!

Could it be grown as a fall crop in Colorado? Our temps drop off pretty quickly in September and throughout Oct (1st frost usually around September 25.) Is it frost hardy when mature or is it more like the lettuces than spinach?

Happy Gardening --
BW

[SherylGallant]

I think it's fairly frost hardy. It's a succulent, sort of like sedum.
I have a lot of it. I have some going to seed now and hope to get a lot of seeds from it this year for the farm store.

It's fabulous on insect bites, including mosquito!