seed collecting from different plants

i have let the garden die back a bit as i have a lot of work to do to it to prepare it for the Spring before winter sets in. There are a few plants i have in the garden which are almost ready to seed. I would like some advice on what to do next! Sweet Peas i have heard from different people the pods should be left on the plant until they turn brown. Is this correct? I have picked a few already which were not brown and have them in envelopes and was going to store them until next year. Pansies i have picked a few of the biggest seed pods i could find. Do i need to wait for the seeds inside to turn brown before squeezing the pods into envelopes to store or can i do it whilst they are still white?

 

As with most seed its best to let them dry on the plant, however in many circumstances you could lose most of the seed due to natures methods of seed distribution.
You need to judge things carefully so as to pick the seed pods as they ripen but before the seed is expelled by the plant.

You can in some cases remove the whole stem of some plants, complete with seed heads and put in a paper bag to dry.
But the seed must be very nearly ripe before you do this.

Its a case of check every day and watch whats happening.

 

Thanks Pete

I also have some petunias which are ready to seed, I presume i can just store them and plant them next year as I normally would? They have done me proud so far! The plants came from a packet of B&Q value seeds, they were 39p and have been in flower since late May and are still going strong!

 

Yes you can do that with petunias, but at 39p a packet I personally wouldn't bother.

Sometimes its best to buy in new seed, unless its something thats unusual or not likely to be available the following year.

Species of plants are always a good bet to grow from your own saved seed, but if its bedding plants that are selections or F1 hybrids its probably not worth the hassle.

 

Hi Lolly, the seeds are very cheap to buy and it hardly seems
worth the trouble of saving your own, BUT!! saving your own
seed and growing your plants from those seeds is more satisfying
than merely picking up a packet from B&Q, so go for it and enjoy
watching them grow :gnthb:

Pete

 

At 39p a packet I would just buy a new packet. Honest.
However some seeds are more expensive than that and might not germinate very well.
Some seeds only germinate well from fresh seed.
To grow from your own seed- whatever kind they are- leave the seed pods on the plant until they are brown and ripe.
Collect into a brown paper bag, or envelope (seems to have good keep dry abilities) and store until spring and plant then.
Or plant straight away depending on plant.
Good luck with the quest.

 

Hi Lolly

If you have any of those little silica packets (they come with shoes mostly) drop those into whatever container you are keeping your seeds in.