Tom MacCubbin is the Extension Agent Emeritus for Orange County and the University of Florida. For more gardening tips and articles visit BetterLawns.com.
Many plants have just completed flowering and are forming seeds. You often see pods of amaryllis, day lily, delphinium, hollyhocks and similar plants that are ready to pop open. Also, annual and perennial flowers of marigolds, gaillardia, coreopsis, salvia, portulaca and zinnias are constantly producing seeds. For many gardeners collecting seeds is a way to save money and grow more of their favorite plants.
If your original plants are the traditional open pollinated types, they should produce seeds that grow offspring similar to the parent. There is always a possibility the flowers may be a different color but the plants should be about the same size and shape. If you are collecting seeds from hybrids you don't know what the new plants are going to look like.
Hybrids are often produced by crossing plants of different heights, flower colors and foliage features. When these seeds are collected and sown some of the offspring are sure to resemble the parents but others could be quite different. Many gardeners like the excitement of getting an assortment of seedlings other don't like the inconsistency.
If you want to grow plants like the parent only save seeds from ones know to produce similar offspring -- otherwise experiment a little. Here are some tips for collecting and storing seeds for future sowings.
- Wait until the flowers fade and the seed cases begin to turn yellow to brown.
- Remove the seeds and allow them to air dry in a shady location.
- Place in a plastic bag.
- Add a small packet of silica gel or a few tablespoons of dry milk wrapped in a paper towel
to reduce moisture.
- Store in the vegetable section of your refrigerator.
Most seeds can be stored for a year or more in the refrigerator. Learn the proper time to sow your seeds to get the best growth and have plants ready for the garden.
