Sorry to add another thread to this already busy forum, but I have a really important question to ask.
I have a LOT of plants that are new to my yard this year and they are doing well. I could probably share a lot more seeds if I knew what I was looking for. Plants with seed pods and others with obvious seeds (like Four O'Clocks and Lantana) are easy to find. But what about some of the other plants like Aster, Flame vine, Black and Blue Salvia, etc. I have these plants and much more in my yard, but I don't know what the seeds look like.
Can someone either show some photos of seeds on a plant or point me to a good website. Not all of DG's PlantFlies show seeds. For the ones that do, I can kind of figure it out. But many don't. Help!
Finding seeds ....
Becky ..
I'd thought that recommending your taking a look in the PlantFiles database - at the various photos posted for any of the flowers you'd listed. For oftentimes, there are photos of the spent flowers, seed heads, and seeds posted there. However, I see .. that it's a bit lackin' in that particular department .. (Ya mite get lucky tho')
- Magpye
This message was edited Nov 5, 2006 9:33 AM
Thanks, Magpye! I know. I already tried that route. I'm hoping someone here can point me to some other websites or maybe even post some photos. That's all I need is a photo to see what I need to be looking for. (I'm a visual learner.)
I am in the same boat as you Becky. I have tons of different butterfly/hummer plants but they are all new to me.
The "Seed Site" is an easy and fun reference to learn about seeds and seed harvesting. It has loads of pictures of seeds and pods that might help you out.
http://www.theseedsite.co.uk/seedpods.html
Also lots of germinating information.
Magpye brought up a good point about plant files, too. Maybe we should all try to take pics of our seeds we collect and add them to the data base. I often forget about doing that.
Becky the Flame Vine will get all dry and fluffy. There are tiny seed attached to the ends of the fluff. I think it is the same for the Asters. The salvia seed is inside the calyx. Let it dry and turn brown and pick it off or cut the whole stem and shake in a bag. They are also tiny seed. If I have time I will take some pics and post here for you. Getting ready for company wednesday through the weekend. A mini DG friends weekend get together. We do it 4 or 5 times a year and it is so much fun.
Thank you Tabasco and Donna. Your link and info have been very helpful. And yes, please, if those of you who photograph plants would also add the seed photos to the PlantFIles here on DG I would really appreciate it. And you could also post them here where Karen, myself, and others can find them easily. That would be so very helpful!
You never know when someone might have the very plant you want and would now have the knowledge to harvest the seeds for you! :-) I know I will harvest what I have for anyone here on the Butterfly/Hummer forum!
What she said!