Propagation: SEED SAVING 2010 - WHOSE IN?, 0 by BLOSSOMBUDDY

BLOSSOMBUDDY wrote:
Your right some of the marigolds are somewhat green, but when picked, those flowers were spent and part drying and the necks were broke and not at peak bloom.. I will get viable MG seed from those whether they dry on or off the plant. When I pluck them, the blossoms are usually spent and broken at the neck anyway and so they are not getting anything from the plant at that point and are just hanging on to the plant by a thread to dry. Granted some will not be good, but often they are ok. I suggest though, if they are still hanging on good to the plant to leave them, but if lose, no problem, take them and try to dry them anyway. You will get more seed that way and hopefully it will be viable. Mine usually has been..

I harvest them dried on the plant too..

I also will take any broken branches and let them dry out and take seed from those. You can hang those branches upsidedown or stand in a bucket without water... works either way. This season I have had a lot of brokenbranches off mine. They have been so heavy with flowers, the flowers broke the branches!

You really have nothing to lose if you dont try.

I will broad cast the seed to a garden bed or if I do start them in the GH, I broadcast them in a flat and then transplant shortly after... I take all I can at harvest if time allows me..

Hmmm coffee filters would be super for drying the melon seeds! I could line my tuperwares and let them set on the filter until dry! Thanks for that idea!

I like using the tuperwares as sometimes when deadheading I do have branches of the plants and I shell them later when planting so the seed here is often really raw. I dont waste my time cleaning it to perfection. The dried matter will disinigrate to the garden anyway. I do hull the seeds, but crush the cases of them when I plant.

Go here for more on Marys!

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1050220/