What Do You Need To Know About Saving Seeds?

by Doug

Here's where you tell me - in the comments section - what you need to know about saving seed. We'll set up the seminar based on your questions and try to get as many answered as possible. You'll be able to get a great garden started next year by saving seed this fall.

Comments for
What Do You Need To Know About Saving Seeds?

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Storing Of Seeds
by: Kathie

Hi Doug

How long can seeds be kept before losing the germination of the seed ?

How should seeds be stored?

I'm a newbie, but want to learn
by: Sandi A.

The only seeds I've saved before are big ones like melon and bean seeds. They're easy to find and save. But what about something like Lisianthus? I bought half a dozen plants this summer and LOVE the flowers, but they were very expensive. I'd love to collect the seed and have more next year, but don't know what the seeds would look like or when they would be available to collect, how best to save them, etc. Any info would be greatly appreciated! Love your columns and ebooks! They have taught me a LOT!! Thanks Doug!

Delphinium
by: June

How to start delphinium. I know that they have a short shelf life. I have them in my mulched rose garden so they can't reseed naturally. Another thing I would like to see is a grouping of seeds by their needs for germination and growing on. That way I could do one group one year and another group the next year and it would be easier to get them to the planting out stage.
Thanks Doug. You're great!!

growing plants from seeds
by: Jane

I am reluctant to even start to save seeds because the end results have never been good for me. Usually my seedlings flop over or get way too spindly and leggy before I can ever get them out in the garden.

I have heard that the flopping may be due to damping off and that can be avoided by watering with chamomile tea.

Very likely I do not have enough light for the seedlings to actually prosper.

Any suggestions on this? In other words cheap ways of providing lighting. How to avoid damping off?

Saving Perennial Seeds
by: Kent

I would like information on saving perennial seeds, specifically peonies, daylilies, and iris.

Thanks

when to plant
by: renee parks

I've collected seeds from annuals in the past. My neighbor just scatters the seeds in the fall. Is this the best way, or should you save them and plant them in the spring, after the first safe planting date? Also, is saving them in an airtight container in a basement good enough? It seems like it takes forever for the plants to get big. Can you fertilize seedlings?

what about "self-seeding" flowers
by: Annie - wncsunrise

I love cleome and cosmos and have lots of room for them. I have heard they are both self-seeding. My question - is it better to save the seeds, freeze them? and plant in the spring -OR- can I gather the seeds now and sprinkle them where I want them to grow next year?
Also, Redbud trees. I have a few "volunteers" and would like to encourage more up the hill along the edge of the woods. Can I plant some of the seed pods?

saving seeds
by: Doreen F Troup

This is awesome - all the questions I had have been asked, thanks, can't wait for the anwers!
Doreen

Cut and fall
by: Veeger

I have never saved perenniel seed. I have saved annual seeds for many years now. Usually I just cut the perenniel seed pods and let them fall on the ground (like lupines or pflox)

Seed Saving
by: JanC

After reading the list of comments from everyone else I think everything I would have said is covered and then some. This may be another topic, but if somewhere in the seed saving topic you could cover some basic info on methods for germinating our saved seeds, including how to water, sunlight, soil, fertlizer etc. that would be really great.

Where are different seeds located
by: Heather

I believe that most of the questions posted will cover much needed ground. I would like to ask if it is possible to post diagrams or photos when answering any questions regarding different seed collection. Thank you.

True Beginner
by: Anonymous

I've never had a chance to save seeds before and would really like to try it. I'm more interested in any and all vegetable seeds. Which ones can you harvest? (and, of course, how & when?). The rest of the questions have been asked by others and I will enjoy hearing the answers. Thanks Doug!

saving seeds and money
by: Melony

If you answer all those questions, you'll be very busy and I'll be very tickled. Can't wait to hear more as I've already started the process!

Freezing Seeds
by: Anonymous

Hi Doug;
It is true that you can freeze your bean seeds for a few months in the freezer to help combat bugs when you plant them?

Seed Germenation and Starting
by: Monty Love

I have some Tiger Lillies that I want to propogate. I know you can dig and seperate the bulbs to create new plants, but I have been trying to propagate by using the black seeds that appear on the stems each year and I have failed miserably every year. I can get the seeds to germenate, but I can never get them to get started properly. Any ideas about items such as that are univeral to all seeds would be very helpful.

containers for saving seeds
by: Cheryl

Need some good info on economical, but effective types of containers to use to save seed, as well as to how to store the seed.

which fruit?
by: Shirley

Just a couple more questions:

When saving seeds, e.g. beans, does it matter if the fruit chosen is a great specimen or just any old one will do? I like long straight beans but often the shorter, misshapen ones are the ones that get left on the plant and dry out hence are available for seeds.

Are all the seeds in the pod equally valuable/viable? ...sometimes there are little ones at the end that don't look as good as the others but they must have the same genetic code-does it make any difference which ones you save?

If you save seed from fruit produced early in the season are you likely to get plants that mature a little earlier? ...and vice versa?

How long does it take for natural genetic mutations to take effect? How can we encourage the ones we want?

If you leave the early produced fruit to ripen and dry out for seeds then will the plant be encouraged to stop producing fruit?

Gerbera Daisies
by: Dee

I've noticed that the daisy eventually turns into what looks like a ball of fluff, how would you save seed from it.

Hybrids
by: John

I think most or all of the questions have been raised. There are two issues I would like to see a fair amount of infromation on. The first is dealing with sowing seeds that require special environments such as dark, cool or other dormancy requirements. The second is the question(s) involving saving seeds from Hybrids such as new plants germinating that are different from the original source or just will not regerminate. I find the most probable question here is having, in the first place, simply forgoten whether the plant was a hybrid or not.

Moonflower
by:

Moonflower is so beautiful and dramatic. I harvested seed from a friend and planted them. I had a few produce but later checked the internet to find out it helps to nick the seed before planting. Are there certain seeds that like to be scraped or nicked? What about soaking seeds before planting? Is that a good method? Also, so annual seed get real leggy if planted too early while your waiting for all chance of frost to disappear.

seeds
by: Linda B

Lots of great questions here and ones I can use answers for as well.

I just started saving seed last year - some sowings were successful and others were not. I wonder what I could have done better. Some seed sprout fine every time others don't. So you see we all need answers to every thing concerning seeds.

General Seed Saving
by: Nate

I would like to know general seed saving techniques from harvesting to curing to storage to longevity of viability to sowing techniques. I have some lily seeds of a cultivar my uncle invented in the refrigerator for a few years now. Are they still good? How should I go about planting them? I actually have space now. Thanks.

Tomato Seeds
by: Norma

Is it best to do it early in the season before blight ?

Beginner
by: Phyllis

This is really just my second year of somewhat serious flower gardening, so I am a true beginner. Doug, your website has helped me tremendously! I would appreciate it if any info on seed saving be helpful to the beginner as well as the more "seasoned" gardener. Thanks so much for sharing your wealth of information!

When to collect seeds
by: Linda

If I collect large seed pods from my pansies while they are green, will they contine to mature in a dish on the window sill,; the same as, when the pod opens on its own on the stem?

seed saving seminar suggestions
by: Anonymous

I have some colorful Shasta daisies that go to seed, at least that is what I think they are doing, so I have clipped these heads and put into a ziploc baggie. There is a bunch of fluff like stuff attached. Am I doing this right? If I save this and plant them next spring will I get new daisies?

And geraniums...I'm not seeing anything that I would call seeds from it. Does it produce seeds? What do they look like?

I also have some bicolored lantana that I adore. Does lantana produce seed that could be saved? There are lots of flowers that I don't actually see anything that resembles a seed head or seed pod ever on them. Can you give a description and maybe pictures of what we should be even looking for?

If you let a pepper stay on the plant until it turns red instead of green, are the seeds then ready to be saved and planted when you use the red pepper? Or do you have to leave the pepper on the plant until it dries all up to get good seed?

How about cucumbers? And spaghetti squash, butternut squash, green beans, summer squash, zuchinni, tomatoes? How do you know if the seeds of cantalope, watermelon, etc are hybrids or not? If they are, is it worth it to plant them or will they not produce what you really wanted.

If you let lettuce bolt does that produce usable seed?

As you can tell, seed saving is something I have never actually tried to do before but feel like there really probably isn't any reason that I haven't been and so I should start. That means you need this to be addressed to the starting novice and then work in advanced info too. And by the by...thanks for doing this.

Are these seeds any good?
by: Barb from Edmonton

What percentage of successful seed germination can we expect if seeds are stored properly?

How long (in months or years) can flower seeds be kept for?

Is there a difference between how long perennial seeds keep compared to saving annual seeds?

Would you do the sink or float test on seeds before you use them? If so, what percentage of sinking would let you know the seeds are still usable?

Which seeds are worth saving?
by: Yvonne Martin

I'd appreciate comments on the following (zone 5):

heuchera
monarda Marshall's Delight (I don't know if this is a hybrid)
Blue oat grass
asparagus
basil
alpine strawberries
Joe Pye Weed
penstemon species
coreposis (lanceleaf)
New York aster

Instructions about saving tomato seed would be welcome.

seed stuff - zone 3
by: Clara

Just when is the best time to collect seeds? Does the flower have to be completely shrivelled up and dry?
How do you identify the seed from the chaff? The big seeds are easy, it is the little ones that I don't recognize.
Thanks for your time.

seed stuff - zone 3
by: Clara

I have had great success in seeding cone flower and black-eyed susan . Just scattering the seed over the ground in late fall. Now there is no open ground in my gardens to spread seed. Is it possible to seed 4 inch black containers in the fall and just leave these pots outside through winter and expect them to germinate in the spring?
Thanks for your time,

Seed Saving
by: Ruth

Everyone has pretty much asked all the same questions that I would have. Thanks.

seed saving
by: Anonymous

Where is the best place to store seed for the average person? I think "cool + dry" is the recommendation, but the average Joe doesn't have that. We have cold + dry (the frost-free fridge) or cool and damp (the basement -- in places with basements), but rarely cool + dry. Suggestions?

sowing natives
by: Anonymous

When collecting seeds from native plants, should seeds be stored in the fridge for spring planting or should they be planted as soon as they are ripe?

seeds
by: Bonnie

I've saved beans for years, hot peppers and seeds from various flowers. I'd like to save Tomato seeds this year. I bought a couple of heirloom tomatoes so would like to know about them.
Thanks

SEED TREATMENT
by: DENA

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT TYPE OF SEEDS NEED SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR THE NEXT SEASON. I HAVE HEARD SOME NEED TO BE NICKED AND CHILLED FOR SO MANY DAYS. CAN YOU GIVE US A GENERAL LIST OF THEM TYPES OF SEEDS THAT REQUIRE SPECIAL TREATMENT. THANKS DENA

seeds
by: Dianne

Are seeds viable if :they have been hit by frost.
they aren't dry yet

How many years can one expect to save and still have them good? Thanks D.

seed saving
by: Anonymous

I think everything i wanted to know has already been stated but I will re-state it.

1) what plants do I save seeds from

2) what about hybrids?

3) how do you clean the seeds

4) when are the seeds ready?

5) how do you store the seeds?

is there anything different about saving seeds from cross polinated palants?

How do I save vegtable seeds.

how do I tell if the seeds are viable

how do I prepare the seeds for germination

how do I save seeds from veggies

how do I tell if the seeds will come true to type?

Keep it simple
by: Candi

The truth is that I have many of the same questions that others do.. What seeds do I want to save? How should they be harvested and stored? Just give it to me straight and keep it simple. I know so little about seed saving that basic information will be appreciated.

What I would like to know.
by: Ferne, Kamloops

I have a shoebox jam packed with seed, many acquired this year and unopened. Some from previous years. I know that length of viability varies tremendously with species, and saving conditions, so could use a refresher on a quick test method for germination.

Of course, if you can tell me how to buy just what I can actually plant in a season, Doug, that would solve a lot of problems. :)

Lots of seed in the garden too, so tips on selecting the best seeds/seedlings from year to year would be extremely useful. At the moment, I am particularly interested in Sweet William as it does so well for me. Any way of predicting colour?

And.....you knew this was coming....How about a seed trading area on our forums?

Seed Saving
by: Sandy

I never know which plants to save seeds from. I know there are some you don't want to save as they will be prone to have diseases and generally not do well. Also I need to know how to properly store seeds, in what situations do you have to soak them before planting, and which ones will be different from the original plants.

Storage of seeds
by: poomouse

I know very little of this subject, so all info will be of great interest.
I would especially like to be sure that I harvest the seeds at the right time (ie. not too soon).
Also, how and where should they be stored so that they are viable when I come to sow them and what is their shelf life.
Again thank you for all you great stuff.
Fate

Seed Saving
by: Marie

The questions already stated are some of the things I want to know, too. Specially the hybrid question.

Since I know nothing about saving seeds, I need to know everything - starting from scratch - any information will be a bonus.

seed saving
by: Donna

I have some borage seed which I plant every year although the stuff springs up everywhere, even where I did not plant it . I suspect last year's seed fell to the ground and germinated this spring. However, the normally blue flowers are coming in pink in an erratic pattern on the plant. Question: are there plant mutationswith seed that self-germinates year after year, and if so what do plant geneticists do to make new blooms in fresh colors to increase market appeal?

Regards,

Donna in Calgary

Saving tomato seeds
by: Rick

One method of saving tomato seeds calls for the wet pulp with the seeds to ferment before storing for the winter. Another calls for drying the seeds between paper towels. What's your recommendation?

Seed saving
by: Judy

Hi Doug,
I've never saved seeds before so I've just got some general questions.

How can you tell the good, healthy seeds from the sickly ones?
Is there any point in saving seeds from hybrid plants?
How long to do we have to let the seeds dry?
Is it ok to save the seeds in ziplock bags?

Thanks for all you do to help us learn about gardening. You make it fun!

Old seeds
by: Betty Jane

I bought a variety of perennial seeds 2 years ago and forgot about them. Will they still germinate?

Also, they have different methods for germinating (temperature, chilling before-hand). How finicky are they really?

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Doug Green