I planted arugula seeds in small containers. They are all so tiny, except one plant that grew very fast and looks dramatically healthier bigger and just different from the rest of them. It might be a mutation since they are all in the exact same circumstances. I would like to let it seed so that I have more of that container-robust variety. I am not sure when it will flower as it has already been in the pot about a month and is not doing anything but growing! Any ideas? Will it die if I leave it longer?
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The plants in the biggest pot are not growing as fast nor nearly as big.– NashwaDec 27, 2014 at 6:55
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I would also like to transfer it to another pot without killing it. I really dont know how. This is my very first trial at planting anything.– NashwaDec 27, 2014 at 6:57
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@Nashwa So, you just want to know how to save arugula seeds and to ensure it does seed before it dies?– BrōtsyorfuzthrāxDec 27, 2014 at 10:20
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Yes please, i would really like to save seeds from that particular plant.– NashwaDec 27, 2014 at 14:06
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That large one may be a faster growing member of the family, not arugula. They look very similar when young. It's easy to get some seeds mixed up, as the same equipment is often used for different species.– J. MusserDec 30, 2014 at 23:18
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2 Answers
Arugula seeds are found in seed pods, which should be left on the plant until dry and then removed. If left on the plant for too long after drying the pods will crack and disperse the seeds, so you will need to keep a close eye on them.
I doubt there's anything special about the larger plant - check the pot its in and see how many baby or small plants are left within it that are separate from this large plant. From the picture, it looks as if there's at least one other plant in the same pot, over to the right, which is growing, but you might find all the smaller seedlings are either still present, but not doing anything, or have given up the unequal struggle for root room and nutrients because the large one has taken over.
If you sow seeds in containers or trays, the idea is that, once they've germinated (started growing) and have two sets of leaves (the first set being cotyledons, not true leaves), then you prick them out into individual containers to grow on properly. With regard to saving seeds, you won't be able to do that unless the plant flowers, is fertilised and forms seed, at which point you wait for the pods to mature and collect them when they're turning, or are, brown in colour and fairly dry.
