Once collecting and storing plant seeds ensured the safe survival of the most difficult months of the year, today it is becoming a tribute to the most beautiful seasons.The busy days have come for seed collectors, because the time to harvest beautiful fruits is just beginning.
To propagate the plants, you need to start harvesting now. If you want to check the ripeness of the fruit, you should tear open the shell. Ripe seeds are usually brown. Cut the shoots with fruits while they are still in the green phase, then spread them on the canvas until they dry.
Seeds of many trees, shrubs or perennials require interruption of dormancy by scarification (mechanical damage to the shell) or stratification (exposure to low temperatures).In case of stratification, seeds should be mixed with moist sand in a ratio of 1: 3 and then placed at 2-8 ° C for several weeks. For example, lavender seeds should be kept at 0-4 ° C for 2 months before sowing.
If we do not collect the seeds in time, they will disperse on their own. The fruit of the dandelion travels long distances attached to the characteristic parachutes.The seeds of clematis and many other plants have feather-like hairs, which also allow them to travel through the air.Small seeds of an old man are carried by the wind up to 300 kilometers.
Not all species are prone to wandering. Syrian hibiscus spreads near the crown of the mother plant. Note the small seedlings with clipped leaves - they are not weeds!
The seedlings can now be dug up and transplanted into containers with fresh garden soil.We winter them in a bright, frost-free quarters, and in the spring we place them at their target position.Shrubs should bloom in the third year after planting.
How to clean and store seeds?
Seed scattering plants should be timely covered with air-permeable bags. We cover the fruits of our favorite plants with small-mesh nets or paper bags to protect them from hungry birds, rodents and insects.
Collected seed heads should be stored in paper tubes. Tear the dry shells of pods, bellows and bags.Seeds contaminated with chaff or other dry parts of plants are put into a cardboard box, shaken vigorously, and then blown out of the lighter parts of the shells.
The seeds should be thoroughly cleaned so that they are not attacked by mold. Dry it is best stored in paper bags, closed jars or cans. The containers can be filled with small bags with desiccants.
Place the containers and bags in a cool, dry and dark place.Please note that the seeds have a specific germination capacity.Some of them retain it for only one year, e.g. pasque flower, violet, European flower.
