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Seeds, Resurrected
In the summer of 2018 , Seed Savers Exchange regenerate , or “ resurrected ” three rarified seed varieties from the solicitation , admit a smuggler bean , black oat , and maize .
There was no neglect the intricate tree diagram - outgrowth teepee in the Evaluation Garden at Heritage Farm [ in summertime , 2018 ] . Sure , it towered high above the garden , which showcased an intriguing mixture of flower , veggie , and cereal miscellany from the Seed Savers Exchange aggregation .
But that was n’t the main ground the teepee captured the rapt tending of so many visitors — and , yes , birds and butterflies too .
Even the birds (see the fella on top!) couldn’t resist Heritage Farm’s Evaluation Garden teepee swathed in the striking red flowers of the ‘Lillibridge (Kettle Family)’ runner bean.
It was , rather , the nimble - growing vine with middle - catching crimson efflorescence — a hallmark of the rare ‘ Lillibridge ( Kettle Family ) ’ runner bean — that inhale so many mill around glances .
The sight of those flowers was singular enough , but even more singular was the fact that the exquisite runner bean was “ resurrected ” by the expert Seed Savers ExchangePreservationTeam , who each twelvemonth uprise out a pick of the variety entrusted to our collection to brush up line of descent and ensure continued seed viability .
Still more singular yet ? The ‘ Lillibridge ( Kettle Family ) ’ runner noggin is but one of three rarified varieties recently recreate by our Preservation Team , who also form their magic trick on ‘ Harry Strom ’ black oats and ‘ Corn Husk Doll ’ maize .
Even the birds (see the fella on top!) couldn’t resist Heritage Farm’s Evaluation Garden teepee swathed in the striking red flowers of the ‘Lillibridge (Kettle Family)’ runner bean.
‘Harry Strom’ Black Oats
Harry Strom , for whom this uncommon variety of oat is nominate , was a hiss stock breeder whose Norse crime syndicate used the oats as bird feed in the early 1900s . Harry passed on his treasured germ to Ray Frostad of Frosty Winds Farm in Kimball , Minnesota , who then top it on to Seed Savers Exchange for safekeeping and preservation .
In 2017 , SSE conducted a sprouting test on its armoury of the black oat seed . ( A seed - germination test aid find out if seeds will grow before you go to the trouble of found them . ) While not a individual seed spud , that did n’t stop the ever - affirmative Preservation Team .
“ It probably voice a bit unhinged , but we went ahead and sowed 16,200 seeds in the nursery anyway , ” says Philip Kauth , former conductor of saving . Their efforts did not go empty-handed — nine seed germinated , and almost 2,000 seeds were finally harvested from that 2017 produce out .
Welcome back, Harry—‘Harry Strom’ black oats, that is!
In 2018 , the preservation squad again grew out ‘ Harry Strom , ’ and their efforts paid off in spade : a crop of 58,000 seeds — more than enough to ascertain the continued macrocosm of the variety for years to come .
‘Corn Husk Doll’ Corn
The SSE Evaluation Team [ sow in ] these ‘ Corn Husk Doll ’ seed in 2019 to help ensure a expectant enough inventory of the rare variety . This seed was donated to Seed Savers Exchange in 1991 by Joyce Grimes of West Union , Iowa , who grew and select it to make corn straw dolls . ( The Fayette County ( Iowa ) Historical Society has preserve a assemblage of Joyce ’s dolls , which were feature inMidwest Livingin 1990 . )
In 2018 , the Preservation Team tested two inventory packets date from 1990 . Both test “ all in ” ( in other row , zero germination ) , but , once again , that final result did n’t stop the team .
“ We seed 2,464 seeds in our high - tunnel glasshouse and had three germinate before cervid peeked in and began munching on them , ” says Phil . “ fortunately , we were still able to harvest three corn ear that soften a amount of 1,177 seeds . ”
The SSE Evaluation Team [sowed] these ‘Corn Husk Doll’ seeds in 2019 to help ensure a large enough inventory of the rare variety.
[ In 2019 ] , Seed Savers Exchange once again acquire the ‘ Corn Husk Doll ’ variety of corn to ensure there was sufficient viable seed to keep it around for future generations .
SSE now lists ‘ Corn Husk Doll ’ seeds on the Exchange . Browse the Exchange .
‘Lillibridge (Kettle Family)’ Runner Bean
This gorgeous purple - and - black bean was donated to Seed Savers Exchange in 1981 by John Withee , a well - roll in the hay bean collector from Massachusetts , and has been kept in our seed coin bank since that clock time .
During a standard inventory germination test in 2016 , the seed of several cum packs evidence exanimate . But the Preservation Team ( of course ! ) kept testing — and finally find liveliness in two pack that had been seal 26 years earlier . One plurality containing 83 come produced a 10 - percent germination pace , while another clique of 35 seeds yielded a 20 - pct germination rate .
Four plants grew from the packet of 35 seed and ultimately ply 46 semen . In 2017 , the Preservation Team successfully spring up the runner bean again ; 18 of the 23 seeds sown produced seedling . Those 18 industrial plant knuckle under about 1,200 seeds , and it was those seminal fluid that produced the beautiful bloom that graced [ the 2018 ] Evaluation Garden teepee .
The seeds of the ‘Lillibridge (Kettle Family)’ runner bean are as beautiful as their flowers.
SSE now lists ‘ Lillibridge ( Kettle Family ) ’ runner bean seed on the Exchange . surf the Exchange .
Preservation at Seed Savers Exchange
This unbelievable work is all part of Seed Savers Exchange ’s two - forked participatory ( and mission - driven ) approach topreserving cum diversityfor generations to issue forth .
Ex situpreservation involves the long - full term care and store of the heirloom and open - pollinated varieties entrusted by members and supporters to our gene bank , whilein situpreservation involves sharing seeds of these potpourri with gardeners and farmers who aid preserve them by rise them .
Originally published March 13 , 2019 by Sara Friedl - Putnam . Updated February 6 , 2025 .
The collection at Heritage Farm
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When you make a purchase from Seed Savers Exchange , you facilitate satisfy our non-profit-making mission to protect our food for thought and garden inheritance . Do even more dear by nominate a donation to help us uphold and share even more heirloom varieties !
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Seed Savers Exchange is a revenue enhancement - exempt 501(c)3 non-profit-making organization dedicated to the preservation of heirloom seeds .
