Members of the Chenopodiaceae family are wind pollinated. The pollen is light and can travel for up to 10 kms, so to keep a variety pure, grow only one member of each species each season.

Plant 16 minimum, preferably 32 and ideally 64 for genetic strength of future seed. OR?.... Plant a minimum of 300, rougueing out the 100 least true to type to keep the line strong for the long haul.

We often have problems with the very tall seed heads on these species falling over because they are shallow rooted. They may need staking. You’ll find when growing out members of this family that there’ll be a lot of variability in growth habits. I recommend you plant 20% more than needed, say 90 plants, and cull out the small and odd ones & those that bolt to seed.

Many members of this family, especially the Beta species, will not go to seed unless they have been grown through a winter. It works best to plant the seed in late summer, and they will seed strongly the following spring summer.