I would love to have these if they are still available. The collection sounds lovely.

I've been collecting cornflower seed pods for weeks now (along with mini, maxi and HUGE marigolds) and I will keep them in a tray until they are totally dried, then keep them, husked, either in a tupperware container or, unhusked as pods, in a bag that potatoes come in (I wash it and turn it inside out and wash again so any potato boogies don't harm the pods). I've found cornflowers to be astoundingly lovely, long lasting (well, I dead head on a regular basis all the plants I grow, in and outside) and the more I pluck off the pods, the more they produce. Cool. No idea if I have perennials, but I've got enough seeds from pods that I don't have to go to the store for more seed! (Ditto with marigold- easiest flower I have EVER un-seeded! Make sure it's petals are dry dry dry, pinch off the seed head, just below the bulge where the petals were, twist off the dead petals, and pull out the seeds. They will be black; if they are not, toss 'em; they're not ripe and won't germinate.) Sorry! I veered off into marigold land from Cornflower Row!! Whichever, good luck. (And, cornflowers look terrific framing marigolds.) This post was edited by SilkySappho on Sat, Oct 5, 13 at 23:57

The only one of these I have a lot of experience with is the delphinium. I buy or collect my own seed (it doesn't keep well and should be planted fresh) and germinate inside in my propagation box (about 3' x 4' with shop lights that can be raised and lowered). These will usually bloom a bit the first year. Some of the others I've tried using this method as well, but they take the entire season to get established. Another thought: check out the winter sowing sites (including GW). I should think any of these seeds, including delphinium, could be winter sown. Something I start in midsummer are biennials like foxglove. These get a nice start and overwinter in a cold frame outside and bloom next season. I doubt you have time to germinate, then plant and expect the seedlings to overwinter in the garden. But others may have more experience with this. Good luck. GaryStPaul

I have cornflowers and zinnias also. JUles is right about the zinnias, and the best thing about them is they also self-sow very easily, and so if you collect the flower heads, put them in a paper bag or large envelope (to ensure air circulation so they won't accidentally retain too much water and rot) you can do as Jules suggested or you can just rub the dried heads between your thumb and palm or thumb and fingers, or between both palms over where you want your seeds (assuming you want a naturalized effect)and press into soil. Or continue to saveThey will grow very very quickly in warm weather if they have adequate water. The cornflowers I have I usually apply the same principal, when the flower fades and begins to dry, I pick them both to discourage a few more blooms than I would otherwise get and to save and sow the seeds... like the zinnias I store them in a paper container ( personally I think manila envelopes work great) and whenever you wish you can rub the seeded head between your fingers and palms or thumb and fingers. As with the zinnias this loosens the flower base from the seeds I find, making it much easier to gently pull the seeds away from the base. Mine are kind of papery and very light, kind of like really light and thin marigolds, or very flat daisy floss... scatter sow and press into the ground or save them for next year. PS -- you know the little silica or other dessicants you get in things like vitamin bottles or boxes of leather shoes or at the bottom of leather bags? I put one of these in each envelope I am using to store the seeds, so that they will stay dryer and be more likely to stay viable and not mold... I hope this helped you some...