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September 2, 2015 | 3 minute read

DIY Plant Science: Grow Your Own Purple Carrots in 10 Steps

Last month we wrote about how plant scientists are developing these colorful new varieties of vegetables that contain different cancer-preventing phytochemicals.10520568_s

For the article, I spoke with Philip Simon, PhD from the University of Wisconsin who first introduced the anthocyanin-packed purple carrot in 1992. One of the best things I learned from my talk with Dr. Simon is that with a little bit of time and patience we can recreate the process at home! This can be a great activity for kids and adults alike.

The first step in the plant breeding process is to get the vegetables to flower. For most vegetables such as peppers or squash, flowers are the norm (think, stuffed squash blossoms). For carrots and other root vegetables, flowering is a bit more involved. They only flower after being exposed to cold. So, here’s what you do:

Step 1: Buy a bunch of carrots with the green tops on; chose both purple and orange.

Step 2: Cut off the tops of the greens leaving about an inch of green stem

Step 3: Dry on the counter until no surface moisture remains to prevent mold growth

carrots 1-3a

Steps 1, 2,  3: cut off carrot tops and allow to dry

Step 4: Put carrots in the fridge for 6 weeks in a loosely sealed brown paper bag.

Step 5: Remove from fridge and plant carrots in a pot.

Step 6: In a few weeks, carrots will grow green leaves and then flowers that you may recognize as Queen Anne’s Lace.

carrot 4-6

Steps 4, 5, 6: refrigerate, plant and grow!

Step 7: Cross-pollinate. This means moving the pollen from the flower of one plant to another. In nature, flies and bees are responsible for this important job. In your home, you can use a paintbrush!

Use a small clean brush to move pollen from the center of the flowers of one plant to another and vice versa. After 4 to 6 weeks the flowers containing the developing seeds will turn brown.

Step 8: Harvest flowers and place in paper bags so they can dry completely, about a couple days.

Step 9: Rub dried seeds to remove spines and they are ready for planting.

Step 10: Plant! When you plant the seeds, some of the carrots may look like the beta-carotene packed orange “parent”, some like the anthocyanin-rich purple “parent” and some will have DNA and nutrients from both, just like what happens in Dr. Simon’s lab.

We at AICR are in the middle of our carrot experiment and can’t wait to see the results. Comment below to tell us about how your experiment turns out!

4 comments on “DIY Plant Science: Grow Your Own Purple Carrots in 10 Steps

    • Lisa Hecht on

      Why wouldn’t I just buy seed? I’ve got lots of catalogs for open-pollinated, heirloom seeds and have started lots of them in my garden.
      But, it’s cool to know how to pollinate plants. Also, the flowers of carrots outside attract pollinators. Some of mine are flowering right now!

      Reply
  1. Peris Mugo on

    I appreciate the information on the health benefits of carrots
    Am on breast cancer treatment since 2012 I do eat carrots a lot but am not sure the best way to prepare . Is it juicing ,blending or steaming for best results?

    Reply
    • Alice RD on

      Hello Peris,
      However you enjoy carrots is the best way to prepare! To optimize the fiber, though, steaming/stir-frying would be a better way to prepare. If you have leftover carrots or want a creamy soup, blending could be a great way to use the leftovers. Mixing up the ways you use them – whether whole, blended or juiced – may help you get your veggies in and keep it interesting.

      Reply

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