Marigolds in Texas

There is a local eldery woman here who gave me some seeds from her families Marigold - she knows her grandmother and maybe great greandmother grew them. They wanted to send her to a home and none of the family had interest in the flowers so before they took her away she gave me the seeds... So they have seedheads now and have bloomed like nuts! But ok here goes I have two BIG questions due to the fact that these just might be the last seeds of this plant on eath (I have no idea if they are anywhere else sooo dont want to lose them)

1. Will they resed thmselves or do I need to collect the seeds?

2. If I need to collect the seeds what is the best way to keep them fresh for Spring?

marigold seeds keep really well--just let one plant go to seed now and then wait until later in the season to let the others. Let them dry as much as possible on the then bring in, put on paper plate let them dry in A/C another 2-3 weeks, then break apart seed heads and store seeds. Best to remove as much chaff (dead petals, etc) since they retain moisture. Works for zinnias too.

Thanks - just dont want to lose these.

I don't blame you--I bet they are pretty...what do they look like?

Very simple - lower row of deep orange petals that lay out flat, and a higher petal set that is the same orange just not so deep standing up like a flame... like nothing I have seen before. Do you like marigolds? Could save you some seed.

HI Mitch,

I planted some marigold seeds that I collected from flowerheads one year that sat in my hot garage in an open container for an entire year - and they sprouted and grew just fine the following year. They're pretty tough.

Save me some seeds mitch--I'll keep the tradition alive. I'm sure there must be some seeds I have you might want....lol

Dont worry about that - just want to find a few safe homes for these to go on too, sont want to worry about them fadding out. You are coming to the RU here in Dallas right ?? Can you Dave Mail me a message to remember to get them to you?

Sure will Mitch--jotting it down in my Journal now.
Thanks;
Debbie

Thanks I have a really bad memory...

Me too-the purpose of the Journal.
;)

My two year old thinks if I write in a journal he should too - with balck crayons...

Get 'em started early Mitch! Writings a lost art.
Debbie

Very true.. .. .. would be nice if there was something understandable in their!