Do Nasturtium Seed Skins Dry tight to the Seeds?

Hi there,
I picked a bunch of Nasturtium seeds which were shriveled on the outside and had actrually blown right off the plant...I took them home and tried like a devil to get what I thought was a seed "pod/cover..." off to get at the seed, but it only shattered or in another case, split the seeds....H-E-L-P.....please? I am collecting Peach Melba, Empress of India, and a mix...can't remember the name, but they have a yellow...light orange..dull red (unlike Empress of India!)..and a more brilliant orange/red combo if I remember correctly. A couple related questions and then I'll shut up: Is it OK to pick the seed/pod when they are green and wrinkly if they--quite literally--fall off into your hand or onto the ground if shaken as long as they are allowed to dry. [I do know you MUST file down, nick, etc. the seeds before planting...might this be because you have to get rid of that dang glove-tight seed-"pod." Hmmmm.] I did do my homework and actually looked at the other posting showing the brown and shriveled seed arrangement picture that looks like a tri-shaped pea arrangement, btw. :-)

Thanks a bunch!

Sincere Thanks,
Thor

I know they dry tight to the seeds...I guess--better put--is the following question: Does the dried skin come off of the seed before attempting to plant Nasturtiums or is that why you must first file them heavily to ensure that they are able to germinate before the following year? :o) Oh, how I would appreciate an answer as I am not being impertinent or petulent like a baly behaved child here! Please...?

Sincerest Thanks!
Thor

Hiya Thor! Was waiting around for an expert to answer but that doesn't look like it's happening, LOL!

I planted nasturtiums in my garden this spring. The seeds were very large (for a flower seed I thought), hard, rolly balls. I didn't file them or soak them or nick them or anything. Just planted them in seed starter in peat pots. They germinated at close to 100%. No one ever told me to pre-treat so was probably just dumb luck for me!

Now I'm collecting seeds from those plants. They seem to fall off the plant while still green and soft. I've picked them up and left them to dry on a paper plate. As they dry, they turn to a shade of tan. Since it's only been a couple of weeks I don't know if they will darken any more. But they look similar in size and shape to the ones I planted. Maybe a dead-on match if they shrink a little more as they dry.

But in the name of science, I just sacrificed a seed. I cut it in half with a razor blade. My amateur observation leads me to believe that the seed coat does not come off. It did not peel away easily and took quite a bit of the seed part with it when I scraped it. So I will probably plant these as is next spring.

Unless someone happens along with better advice for us. :)

I planted these for the first time this year too. Just pushed that giant seed into the ground and i too think i had 100% germination.

they have to be one of the easiest things to grow, and grow they do.... at first mine stayed almost bushy, but now they are getting very 'viney' and really spreading.

as for the seeds and that coating ... i dont think i noticed it... for most of my seeds, i've been picking them up off the ground as they have already fallen.

Did you have an aphid problem? At times mine were literally covered with them. I don't spray, just leave things to fend for themselves and the plants seemed to do just fine.

no -- chat ... as far as i could tell, i had no pest troubles on my nasties.

Hi,
The seeds you mentioned are it. They don't have a pod, but just the funny wrinkly seed. They stay the tan color mentioned, and they surely are one of the easiest things to get started. I have some returning each year round about late winter (we don't have frost) and by early spring they are flowering like crazy.
I have "African Jewel" (variegated leave) and just love them.

They tend to attract aphids, and are very helpful in the garden because of that. As you said chatnoir, they don't seem to mind, and it definitely helps keeping them off my roses.

Elsa

Hi,
Elsa is right... they are the one of the easiest plants to grow... mine reseed. I just leave the seeds where they fall and next year when they sprout I move them around when they are bigger...

I had African Jewel last year... really pretty...

Ok. Thanks. I'm surprised the seeds overwinter in zone 6. I'm in 5 so it's a little colder. But I may try leaving a few out to see what happens. At this point any seeds that can be started direct on their own is a good thing! March and April around my house can get pretty chaotic with all the pots and seedlings all over! LOL!

I too have the one with the variegated leaves which came as part of a Gleam Mix, so I will have to make a note of the cultivar as I collect the seeds from the ground/plant. It is quite gorgeous with the multi-colored flowers and the white/green leaves. Nasturtiums prefer the poorest soil possible and, from all that I've seen, they will actually not flower if fertilized, just lots of vegetation. I think the leaves are great in salads as are the flowers, adding a distinctive pepper taste as well as--in the case of the flowers--a nice sweet taste with the color as an added bonus. Interesting to hear about the aphids. I'll have to try some...if and when we can land a home or an apartment where they will alow me to have a tomato/pepper garden of some part. Your added information and validation of my see collection methods have really helped greatly!

Thanks,
Thor

Hmm. Don't know your exact circumstances, but an Earthbox may interest you. I have a vegetable garden and also use EB's for peppers and tomatoes and some other things. If you have a patio, porch or balcony, that might just work for you!

I read in an article that the plants and flowers are actually high in vit C, potassium etc. If one tends to get frequent colds, one should eat a leave and a flower daily. Apparently also good for a sore throat. Chew one leave every hour for three hours, and your throat should start feeling better.....? Doesn't hurt to try....
Also read that minced leaves are excellent for treating cracked heals - something I'm sure most gardeners have a problem from time to time. I tried it one evening, but my heels ended up being green!