HelpfulGardener.com

I want to know more about gathering and storing seeds from various plants. I gather many already, like marigolds, tomatoes and sunflowers. But, I know some seeds need special treatment to keep them viable.

I picked up some seeds from a gerbera daisy today and wanted to find out how long those seeds are okay - after looking online, all I can find is how to take care of the seeds you BUY, not those you collect yourself! Apparently they need to be treated with kid gloves and can be no older than 3 months old.

Anybody know a good book on the subject of seed gathering and storage?

Tracy Di Sabato-Aust has a few good books (LOVE the Well Tended Perennial Garden ,which has some seed saving tips). Check seedsavers, johnnys seeds and the like for more info ,,,,

awesome! I looked up the site and got a few good laughs at the seed-snatching! Sad part is, I can see myself doing that... right now I'm more of a cutting snatcher - I walk by with my dogs and casually break off a 3" twig that needed trimming anyway... take it home, trim it up, put it in building sand... and voila, in a few weeks I have a little life showing there.
Pathetic, aren't I?

To collect tomatoe seeds, cut the tomatoe in half and squeeze the seeds and juice onto a plate or plastic dish. Leave the seeds in the receptacle for 2 to 3 days until a mold covers them. Then, wash the seeds until they are no longer sticky and store in a cool, dry place.


The mold part of the above description is very important. The mold will release antifungal chemicals that will help preserve the seeds until the following year. After you have done this, you can keep the seeds for up to 4 years and they should germinate.

Grey, any REAL planthead has done that at least once...

Excellent tip on the 'maters, Opa. Helps to remind us that not ALL fungii are baddies...

Scott

Hey Opa, that's good to know.

I just collected some seeds off of my gerbera daisies. Everything I read says they're hard to start tho - lol. Always up to a challenge!