I have already harvested some of my seeds Kitty. Mostly geums, honesty and aquilegia - it depends on when the flowers and/or the plant starts to die off.. If the flower seeds are dry, and come away easily from the dead flower then I would say yes they are ready. However I would put them in an open tray or plant pot saucer for a few days to completely dry off in the warm air - perhaps on the windowsill. If you are unsure then compare them to seeds in a packet that you buy - if they look and feel similar then they are ready to harvest and store.
hi all just collected wihte lavatera/purple pink / white sweet pea mixed pea bogela (like the name of a wine the calendula week/end after I collect all the seeds and put in pill bottles.. any spare seeds there is a rough scrub under tree I throw all my old seeds under some come and it brightens up the ground ( phillipa smith2 when some pods are green I put them on kitchen towel and put on radiator for a couple hours to help dry out )
Thanks for all the helpful tips folks. I've been checking on the rattle during the past few days of dry and sunny weather.
The stuff I've collected is sitting on the windowsills now, I just need to remember to label them properly.
Does anyone know if it's worth saving seed from sweet peas? I've had a lovely deep purple one this year which I've just dead headed. I'm wondering about leaving the last flush of flowers to set seed.
I have everlasting sweet peas Kitty and I have taken growing tip cuttings and collected seeds this year as I have had some interesting colour variations. Don't know about the annuals but going to give these seeds a go and see what I get
Also Toadflax and Nigella, still waiting for the basil............
"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
My everlasting ones have put on their best ever show this year and I've done nothing special since planting them a few years ago (to be honest I sort of forgot about them until they started putting out huge blooms ).
I've nothing to lose so will try an experiment with both and see what comes up next year.
Gerberas. Can I save seed from the flowers - I have never grown them before, but bought a plant from a shop. I am loving the vibrant colour and wondered if I can save and sow the seed this autumn in cold GH?
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I have already harvested some of my seeds Kitty. Mostly geums, honesty and aquilegia - it depends on when the flowers and/or the plant starts to die off.. If the flower seeds are dry, and come away easily from the dead flower then I would say yes they are ready. However I would put them in an open tray or plant pot saucer for a few days to completely dry off in the warm air - perhaps on the windowsill. If you are unsure then compare them to seeds in a packet that you buy - if they look and feel similar then they are ready to harvest and store.
Thanks GD. I'm familiar with collecting aquilegia, I normally chuck em down straight away and let them get on with it.
I've just rubbed off some calendula (came away very easily) and put them in the conservatory.
Think it's time to buy some more small envelopes
Great - happy seed hunting Kitty - very rewarding isn't it.
hi all just collected wihte lavatera/purple pink / white sweet pea mixed pea bogela (like the name of a wine the calendula week/end after I collect all the seeds and put in pill bottles.. any spare seeds there is a rough scrub under tree I throw all my old seeds under some come and it brightens up the ground ( phillipa smith2 when some pods are green I put them on kitchen towel and put on radiator for a couple hours to help dry out )
Thanks for all the helpful tips folks. I've been checking on the rattle during the past few days of dry and sunny weather.
The stuff I've collected is sitting on the windowsills now, I just need to remember to label them properly.
Does anyone know if it's worth saving seed from sweet peas? I've had a lovely deep purple one this year which I've just dead headed. I'm wondering about leaving the last flush of flowers to set seed.
I have everlasting sweet peas Kitty and I have taken growing tip cuttings and collected seeds this year as I have had some interesting colour variations. Don't know about the annuals but going to give these seeds a go and see what I get
Also Toadflax and Nigella, still waiting for the basil............
My everlasting ones have put on their best ever show this year and I've done nothing special since planting them a few years ago (to be honest I sort of forgot about them until they started putting out huge blooms
).
I've nothing to lose so will try an experiment with both and see what comes up next year.
Yes, seed saving has started
Calendula and also French Marigolds, as well as the first two varieties of rare tomatoes, with others to follow.
Gerberas. Can I save seed from the flowers - I have never grown them before, but bought a plant from a shop. I am loving the vibrant colour and wondered if I can save and sow the seed this autumn in cold GH?