Betty, "I would like to know if the zinnia flower has to be totally brown before cutting it for seeds." Actually, no. You can save "green seeds" as long as they are "plump" with viable embryos inside. But, as Ken said, you need to dry them to store them. Sometimes I gather green seeds and plant them immediately to get a quick second generation of zinnias. (I breed zinnias as a hobby.) Because the outside of a green seed is still alive and impervious to water, you need to split the cover in some way to get quick germination. Otherwise it will take an extra week or two for the outside to die and become pervious to water. However, if you dry your green seeds to use next season or next year, you don't need to worry about splitting the cover, because the dried cover will be dead and pervious. "I was wondering if you could get seeds from cut flowers..." Yes, it is possible to find viable green seeds in the zinnias that are being used as cut flowers. You can pull the petals and inspect the seeds. With a little practice you can learn to see and feel which seeds have a baby zinnia embryo inside and which ones are "empty". Incidentally, you don't necessarily have to cut a zinnia bloom to take green seeds from it. You can leave the zinnia bloom on the plant and pluck individual petals as their seeds "fatten up", working from the bottom of the bloom, and as the seeds develop, work your way up the bloom. And with a little practice, you can spread the petals a bit and inspect the seeds while they are still attached, and pluck only those that you can see are "fat". There are actually two significant advantages to saving your seeds at the green stage instead of waiting for the seedhead to get completely brown and dry. In wet weather, a brown seedhead is prone to pre-germination of the seeds in the seedhead, but on the otherhand, the seeds are still protected from water at the green stage. And, if you have seed-eating birds around, they can develop a taste for your zinnia seeds, so you should harvest your green seeds before the birds do. ZM

I had the same thought and looked it up. I discovered that BB is also a vernacular name for Gomphrena globosa. This just goes to show how very confusing and unhelpful common names are if you are trying to find out about a plant. The OP used the correct name and would do well to stick to using Gomphrena globosa when seeking reliable information. There are at least 3 completely different plants which get called BB.

Heidi - for some reason you message never got to me. Here's my list: Flowers Celosia – Red [brain flower] Columbine – red [canadensis] Cosmos – orange Hibiscus [hardy] – Cherry red/Luna pink Million gold Mum – dark red Obedient plant Pepper, Ornamental [capsicum annum] Phlox [hardy] – white,pink & lavender mix w/ bicolors Rudbeckia - Autumn Sun [r.herbstonne] Rudbeckia triloba [prairie coneflower] Zinnia [short mix] Vegetables & herbs Basil – sweet green Italian/lemon/holy tulsi Chicory – Blue southishe Chives Dill Lettuce – Oakleaf green Peas – Sugar snap Pepper , bell – yellow/orange Radish – early Scarlet globe Thyme Tomato [heirloom] – Black Prince/Black Brandywine/Persimmon/White wonder Vines Morning glory - ipomea hederacea [ivy-leaf blue] /mix [includes Milky Way, Grandpa Ott, ivy-leaf blue, Crimson rambler and various others] /Grandpa Ott Trumpet vine – orange/red Trees/Shrubs Crepe myrtle Hydrangea - white [Annabelle] Rose of Sharon – single pink w/dark eye Vitex - purple

It's an addiction so you'll probably enjoy being out there every day! I'm an addict, too. penstemon bloom, then form little pods that look like popcorn kernels. Let them dry and harden on the stalk. Each kernel has teeny tiny seeds in it. When you crack it open you'll see the baby seeds. coreopsis-the ones I've dealt with formed a small cluster where the bloom was. It's a difficult choice whether to deadhead or let them go to seed. I like the look when they're all deadheaded. The dry head, when pinched open with your fingernail, will have 3 or so seeds about the size of a radish seed. columbine-seed pods are glorious. After blooming there's a crown-shaped pod. Let it dry, but get it before it breaks open and spurts those seeds everywhere. There are teeny sides inside that multi-pronged seed pod. daisies-are probably setting seed now. The petals fall off, but the yellow button center remains and turns a darker yellow. When dry, snip off the head. When you brush your thumb across the yellow surface it will turn into 100s of seeds. Easy to put in an envelope and save yarrow-isn't very pretty as it moves toward seed stage. The large, flat flower heads dry, the vibrant color fades. Again, you have to be patient to wait for it to mature and dry. I cut off the flower head lower on the stem. Once inside, I try to brush, shake the seeds onto a paper or plate. peonies- I researched starting peonies from seed and it sounded like more than I could handle. The directions said to chill the seed for 2 years (in the refrigerator?). I decided that was beyond my skill set although I look at those seeds every year and wonder. daylilies-wonderful seed pods like green eggs at the top of a chopstick stuck int he ground over the bending green leaves. They dry slowly. Once dry (but before t hey break open) the seed pods are so much fun. Each seed is inside a separate little room inside the seed pod like a 3-bedroom apartment for 3 best friends. cosmos-my favorite seeds to save. Petals fall off and the seed head is a small ball. When ripe, the black seeds split apart easily and are hard. If you see anything soft or green, it's too early.