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Seed Collection Query

Lynn142Lynn142 Posts: 128
in Plants
I am confused about when to collect seeds because I regularly deadhead my plants to keep them flowering but I wonder if I want to collect seeds should I leave some of them to die and if so, do they set seed then OR is it only after flowering has finished?

Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,015
    If a plant sets seed it will be under a dead flower
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    Although I don't have many 'non-edible' flowers the situation is the same for all seeding plants.  I designate 1 (marigold, viola, nasturtium, pea whatever) and leave that one plant (or maybe 2) to seed naturally.

    I will invariably miss a few others so scoop up any seedlings in the spring and relocate (very bad at discarding viable plants!) to their 'proper' home. Hope that helps  :) 
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • Lynn142Lynn142 Posts: 128
    Thank you and I understand that but should I leave some of my dead flowers on rather than continually deadheading them daily as I do?
  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    Absolutely, yes Lynn142 leave the dead flowers alone. As B3 says the seeds are set from flowers that die naturally so those dead flowers will turn into seed pods which can be collected.

    There are exceptions as some garden plants are sterile or produce sterile seed but I can't help you there as I don't have many and don't propagate them from seed.
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,501
    Flowers that have been pollinated by insects generally set seed. Pollination is often the signal for the petals to drop and is when the seed begins to develop. The seed can be collected when it is ripe, but that takes time. How long varies, dry weather and sunshine usually speed things up. The seeding heads can look very different, like dandelions and poppy 'pepperpots', but most seeds are in a pod of some sort and will be brown or black  inside a dry husk when they are ready.
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