Flower seeds can be obtained from almost any single-variety flower or perennial, this procedure is particularly interesting for short-lived varieties that only thrive once or twice. One of the main advantages of seed production is the cost factor, and the gardener also knows that this variety has grown well in their own garden or in planters. The result is young plants that are perfectly adapted to the soil, the climate and the location. When seeds are harvested, their ripeness plays an especially important role.
Seed harvest
The most important point when harvesting seeds is their degree of ripeness, this is the case when the seeds are about to fall off. Another decisive factor for the harvest is the weather, rainy and windy days are not suitable, especially with very fine seeds. After harvesting, the seeds must initially be stored in an air-permeable container so that the drying process can begin immediately. These can quickly start to mold in plastic bags or other airtight storage options. Most seed heads are easy to harvest and easy to shake out.
- For most varieties, autumn is the right time to harvest
- Harvest only fully ripe seeds
- Dry, warm and windless days are ideal for harvesting
- Store in envelopes or small paper bags first
- Carefully put the paper bag or envelope over the seed, turn it over and shake it out
- Cut off faded and mature seed heads with a sharp knife or secateurs
- Then collect in paper bags
- Always remove remaining parts of the flower to prevent mold formation
- Leave seeds on the stem if possible
Tip: Mark particularly lavishly blooming and unusually beautiful specimens during the flowering period in order to give preference to the favorites when harvesting.
Drying process
The seeds must always be stored in a dry place, the drier the better the germinability. In this way, the ability to germinate is retained for much longer. Moist seeds quickly mold and can no longer be used for planting. Bright rooms with a lot of sun are not suitable for the drying process, as the germination capacity of the harvested seeds deteriorates here. Even the gentle autumn sun is sometimes still too intense and should therefore be avoided. It is advisable to note the time of harvest, flower seeds obtained yourself are correct
Storage is about 3 years.- Spread out on towels, paper, newspaper or paper towels after harvesting
- Choose a warm and airy place for drying without direct sunlight
- After a few days, drying is complete
- Ideal storage vessels: preserving jars with rubber seals and clip closures
- Alternatively, larger glasses with screw caps or old film cans can also be used
- Several seed packets can be stored in the jars to save space
- Airtight vessels protect the seeds from fluctuations in humidity
- Use of food-grade silica gel accelerates the drying process
Tip: Do not forget to label the seeds obtained so that in the years to come it will still be clear what is being kept in the respective containers.
Storage location & temperature
The seeds should always be stored in a cool place, and short-term and extreme fluctuations in temperatures should also be avoided. The ability to germinate suffers from excessive exposure to light, so the seeds should be stored in a dark place.
- Store paper bags with seeds in a dark, dry and cool place
- Storage temperatures between 0 ° -10 ° C are ideal
- Store seeds in dark cupboards in unheated hallways or in dry basements
- Long-term storage in the freezer possible, can be kept for more than ten years at -18 ° C
- Shrink completely dried seeds in vacuum bags before freezing
What are seeds?
The diaspore of the seed plants is called seeds. The seed consists of a seed coat, also called a testa, and the embryo. Many seeds also have what is known as a nutrient tissue. The seed, for example of a flower, thus contains all the facilities needed to grow into a new plant under favorable germination conditions.
Seeds arise when an egg cell sitting in the ovule has been fertilized by a generative cell of a pollen grain. The so-called mitotic cell division turns the fertilized egg cell, which is called a zygote, into a plant embryo. But this does not continue to grow. Rather, it is held in a kind of temporary waiting position by partially drying out. Finally, if you plant flower seeds in soil and add water to the seeds, they will begin to germinate.
You can either buy flower seeds or make them yourself. Using the example of Summer azaleas, which is also called godetia or atlas flower, how to make flower seeds yourself is explained below.
In September, the seeds of the summer azaleas are ripe. Although summer azalea flowers are still emerging on the plants, seed heads have been on them for some time. After the flowers have faded, the leaves fall off and the summer azalea seed pods turn brown and open from above. At this point you can start plucking the seed pods.
The flower seeds must then be dried well. Then you can pack them well for the winter. It is best to let them ripen and dry in a dry, airy place on absorbent paper. You shouldn't expose them to the still partly blazing autumn sun. That weakens the germinal power considerably. Then you should fill the flower seeds obtained in this way into small bags or matchboxes. For subsequent storage in a cool, dry and dark place until sowing of the seed, empty film cans from 35mm films or empty 1-serving sundae with lids are also suitable.
