Collecting & Sowing Seeds

 In the propagation workshop I attended a few weeks ago, I learned to collect and sow seeds.

I had already learned to collect seeds from my onion blooms. Just cover them with a mesh bag until seeds turn black and begin to fall off.  But these are easy to spot and collect.  I don’t know when native plants seeds are ready or even what to look for.

We set out walking to some nearby dry brush:

He demonstrated how the different plants look at different stages with there blooms and how to distinguish last year’s seeds from this years.

Once the blooms are ready to harvest you cut them and place them in paper bags. Shake the closed bags and seeds should fall off the blooms.  Place the seeds on the table to get a good look at them.

If you aren’t sure if this is debris or seeds, there is a website that can help. Search: 

http://hazmac.biz/061009b/061009bPenstemonCentranthifoliu

There is lots of native seeds that are photographed. 

Once you are sure you have seeds.  Get your pots ready with soil. Use seedling mix and moisten well. Add seeds on top and then lightly cover with more seedling soil mix. 

Water mornings and evenings every day until seeds spout. Then continue watering everyday as needed. Keep out doors but not in direct sun.

Below is the notes on each of the different plant seeds and how to care for them.

I didn’t do the hummingbird seeds as I already have the plant and it’s easier to divide from the root. But he should us how to start from seeds. Place seeds in a small moist pot with seedling mix. Place in a ziplock bag and place in freezer for 4 weeks. Then bring it out and begin watering twice daily.

I mentioned to him that I keep my native plants in containers and he recommended I use fertilizer to help give nutrients to the soil.  If your plants in the ground, they don’t need fertilizer as the ground has the nutrients they need. Use 1/4 to 1/2 the recommended ratios.