skip to main content

The Seed Exchange

Collecting Seeds From Plants

13 years ago

In thiry years, I purchased plants for my garden. This year everthing was from seed. It 's addicting. Some the flowers are for cutting but others could be used for collection of seeds.I want to start with my Cosmos Sonato Pink. Their blooms are huge, 3 to 4",and last for a long time. How do I collect the seeds? After collecting these, I want to move to the more difficult snapdragons. Any advice will be appreciated. Tommy

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
13 years ago
Hi bigeasy,

The link at the bottom has a lot of good info about saving Cosmos seeds. Some of the seed pods and collecting are a little different for the numerous different varieties...and of course Chocolate Cosmos doesn't even make seeds.

chemocurl...aka Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: Threads at The Seed Saving for 'Cosmos'.
Gerris2 (Joseph Delaware Zone 7a)
13 years ago
Just remember that generally speaking, the cosmos seeds which do not flex when mild finger pressure is applied are good seeds.
Related Discussions
Question about collecting seeds
Q
Comments (2)
You can post this on the Seed Saving forum (linked at the top of this forum's front page). There are also several FAQ's there on how to collect and save various types of seeds, storage tips, how hybrids differ from open pollinated varieties, and much more. You might also post over on the Perennials forum about the specific varieties for specific details. I know Red Sea is a relatively new hybrid sold as an F1 so it likely won't breed true but I don't know about the purple one. But if a Goggle of the variety names doesn't tell you if it is a hybrid or an OP or if it is a stabilized hybrid, the folks on the perennials forum will likely know. Hope this helps. Dave Here is a link that might be useful: Perennials
...See More
Collecting Seeds From My Plants - Hybrid or Not?
Q
Comments (1)
an orange seed will OLNY produce a orange tree BUT the fruit may not be like the parent it will NEVER produce a lemon/or marigold. That said your pepper will produce a pepper plant BUT the fruit may not be exactly like the parent by the way the fruit will not be a "hot" pepper but will be a "sweet pepper"
...See More
Collecting Salvia Seeds.....
Q
Comments (2)
Suspect that Oceana Blue is a trade name for Salvia patens. But, yes, seeds should come true, sow some now, away from intense heat, give them some shade, and you may have flowering plants in 3 months. Good luck!
...See More
interested in a 'canadian native seed/plant exchange forum'?
Q
Comments (1)
Bumping this back up to the top of the forum list in case there are any CANADIANS who want to add their name/username to the list of interested folks. Please do not add your name here, click on the link and add your name at the proper forum. Thanks so much. Barb southern ONtario, CANADA
...See More
paulan70
13 years ago
You can collect the seeds when the flower heads drops the petals and the flower head looks like a mad porcupine with the quills all on end. hehe

And for snapdragons. Wait until the flower falls off. And then there is left is little hard case like then. When the case turns brown and you see the little opening open up the seeds are ripe.

Paula
graanieb
13 years ago
Hi Bigeasy-Tommy...now that you've learned how to collect it, have any cosmos to swap?

Have fun!

GB
irisnquilt
13 years ago
The early seeds though aren't usually viable!
graanieb
13 years ago
Never noticed it in here...zone 9.
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
12 years ago
I found that all the seeds were viable and they were coming up everywhere in my garden and in my neighbors garden.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES How to Plant a New Lawn From Seed

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Choose from more grass varieties and save money over sod by starting your lawn from seed

CONTAINER GARDENS 8 Easy Container Plants to Grow From Seed

Get beautiful blooms and herbs in summer by starting these choice garden picks from seed in spring

Houzz Interview: Miss Mustard Seed’s Charming Pennsylvania Home

WINTER GARDENING Great Design Plant: Gold Collection Hellebores Perform Like Stars

Exciting colors, longer bloom times, forward-facing flowers ... These hybrids leave old hellebores in the dust

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Artistic Planting Ideas From a Brazilian Superstar

His abstract designs and native plantings changed the face of landscape architecture. Could Roberto Burle Marx’s style enhance your garden?

GARDENING GUIDES Seeds or Seedlings? How to Get Your Garden Started

By Abundant City

Growing delicious herbs and vegetables starts with knowing your goals and when you want to plant

FARM YOUR YARD Collecting Rainwater and Eggs From a California Chicken Coop

By Becky Harris

See how a butterfly roof helps a hen home’s design soar into double-duty territory

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Great Design Plants: A Bevy of Beauties from the Meadow

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Draw butterflies, birds and bees to the garden year-round with these low-maintenance Eupatorium varieties

WINTER GARDENING Inspiring Winter Scenes From the Denver Botanic Gardens

Use seed heads, bare branches and grasses to design lovely garden displays when the ground is frozen

PLANTING IDEAS 8 Design Tricks From Sunny Botanical Gardens

By Steve Asbell

Take a yard from stale to stupendous with ideas from these expertly designed gardens in the U.S. Sunbelt

Sponsored