We eat all the Silver Hulls that we grow. I suppose I could retain seeds if needed. I have yet plenty to plant for at least the next two years. It is a delicacy that is rarely found in Missouri. Do you grow them?
We love them.
They’re easy to save seeds from. Just let one or two hulls/whole pods from each plant get dry on the plant. Pick those, shell them/etc and save for next year.
http://www.southernexposure.com/southern-pea-cowpea-growing-guide-ezp-53.html
“Seed Saving
Cowpea is self-pollinating and will rarely cross, although it can happen. Like all legumes, the flowers are visited by honeybees and bumblebees, but only the bumblebees are heavy enough to be effective pollinators on the short stigma flowers. On plants being saved for seed, allow the seeds to dry on the plant for as long as possible, gather and continue to dry indoors with good air circulation and then separate seeds from the chaff. Store seeds in a cool dry place and they will remain viable for 4-6 yr.”
From:
https://sowtrueseed.com/product/productmississippi-silver/
One thing I’d add is to dust the seeds with diatomaceous earth, DE, (we get ours from the local co-op) when they’re dry before you store them. This will prevent any bean weevils from making their home in your seed stash.