A really bizarre request....heritage long stem spring wheat......

[British Red]

Hi guys, this is a really odd request - I want to try another "Red's off on one" experiment - growing and harvesting my own wheat. Ideally a good old fashioned non hybrid long stem spring sown variety.

I don't suppose for a momnet anyone has a source for this...interesting conservation...project?

Happy to trade other heritage true bred seeds.....Cherokee "trail of tears" beans for example

Anyone (vain hope)?

Red

 

[Toddy]

Spelt wheat is easily enough obtained if that would do as a trial ?

Do Wildseed not sell wheat ? I mind they had an article about adding wheat and barley into their wild flower mixes.....I'll see if I can find it.
I know that for a while it was illegal to offer old varieties for sale....retrograde step or somesuch.
That said, I make corn dollies and the long straw is grown for that.

Here's the link
http://wildseed.co.uk/articles/2009...-other-plant-varieties-ec-regulations-relaxed

cheers,
M

p.s.

Better yet I think

http://www.sustainweb.org/realbread/grain_and_mills/

http://www.growseed.org/index3.html

 

[British Red]

Thanks Mary - thats good news - I can't find a UK based supplier amongst the links though...unless I am being very thick?

 

[Harvestman]

Red you probably know this already, but just in case, if you want to harvest your own wheat, look up Ergot so you know what to look out for. Nasty stuff.

 

[Toddy]

If you contact Wildseed directly, I'm sure somewhere they said they could supply

John Innes have a landrace project and they might be happy to help too; I know they're growing (and interested folks are welcome to go see by appointment) a huge range of old varieties.

http://www.jic.ac.uk/GERMPLAS/cereal%20landraces.html

Failing that, I have quite good results just sowing the birdseed Astonishing what comes up, but there's a pretty good crop of wheat and oats in it usually


cheers,
M

 

[slowworm]

I've seen other people ask similar questions and they couldn't source any. The last two commercial varieties seem to be Maris Huntsman and Maris Widgeon, although a quick google suggests they're winter sown. But, looking at this article: http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/s-straw-thatch-producers/story-11230451-detail/story.html it may be hard to source. You could call Pickards: http://www.pickards.co.uk/Home/220/Home.aspx although it's not listed on their site and they may supply too much for your needs.

An alternative approach would be to ask some local thatchers to see if they source any local and see if you can get some seeds.

 

[British Red]

Thanks both. I know my cropping requests are....odd...I just love the learning side when mixed with more....routine crops

 

[slowworm]

Depending on your interest and how much time you've got these might be worth a visit, they might also be able to hlep track down some seeds. http://www.jic.ac.uk/GERMPLAS/Cereal landraces.htm

 

[mrcairney]

I might be able to help with this. I know a chap that works for a seed wholesaler/breeder. I've asked the question and will let you know Red.

 

[Bushwhacker]

Check these out, it seems they have provided seeds for various projects.

http://data.jic.bbsrc.ac.uk/cgi-bin/germplasm/cereals.asp

 

[British Red]

Thanks guys - don;t need huge amounts - just enough for a small experimental plot (maybe 20 sq m)

 

[mrcairney]

Hi Red, I've spoken to my guy and he doesn't have that variety. If you give me a list of possibles I'll run them past him if you like?

 

[locum76]

any thoughts on your method? undersowing with clover maybe?

 

[British Red]

locum76.....really just a learning experiment for me. The soil doesn't need the nitrogen fix at the moment from the clover as its been rotated with legumes and the roots rotted in. The undersowing would be fun to try though...I'm still a baby at this stuff though

Mrcairney, I wanted to try the long stem partly because its much deeper rooted and we get some fair winds in the Fens. I plan to grow a strip only (about 4' across and long) so I fear wind damage on a shallow rooted variety. If he has anything that he thinks would be okay for that I'd be very interested. Really appreciate all the input guys!

Red

 

[Spaniel man]

Maybe a long shot Red , but I used to grind a bit of spelt flour in the estates water mill for these guys:
http://www.commonloaf.com/
They may be able to help you, and they are the nicest buch of people. Give them a ring...

 

[bushwacker bob]

Maybe worth trying Robin Appel at Waltham Chase too.

 

[locum76]

Long stem would be fun to harvest with a scythe, then you could experiment with threshing by hand too.

 

[British Red]

That was exactly the plan for harvesting, hand threshing and winnowing! Was thinking of trying to get a proper winnowing basket too

Sean, could you ask them if you find yourself out that way please mate? I used to have lunch in the Chase Inn - but its a bit of a schlep now!

 

[bushwacker bob]

OK. I'll let you know.

 

[British Red]

You are a good man...with a lovely hat