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Perennials Seed Saving garden

Which are the astilbe seeds?

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

I'm having difficulty with determining what is the actual astilbe seed. After removing the dried "seed pods" from the plant, drying them, and sifting them through a fine screen, I have no idea what i'm looking at. There are a lot of possibilities. Any help here?

Featured Answer

peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada

2 years ago

bunky did you have success sorting the seed from the chaff? I actually see quite a bit of seed in your 1st pic. The three on the middle right side and all others that look like that. You should feel a hard nub of seed. Get rid of all the light brown material - that is the chaff.

I cut & cleaned some. One of the most difficult I have ever done because of the amount of chaff and I have cleaned many.

Here is a pic of the seeds.

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Comments (10)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
2 years ago
Can you post a picture of what you have? The seeds are very small dark brown. But it doesn’t really matter if you sow a bit of chaff along with the seeds.
bunky
Original Author
2 years ago
Well, I really do want to know which is the seeds and which is chaff. That way I know how many seeds I'm actually planting or trading. I would hate to be giving more chaff than seeds!
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floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
2 years ago
I don’t actually see many seeds there at all, unless there are still some hidden inside the dried calyces. I wouldn't trade them as they're not sufficiently good quality. Maybe winter sow the whole caboodle and cross your fingers there area few seeds there. There’s an image here: https://parkseed.com/success-with-seeds-astilbe/a/sws16/
bunky
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Here's two more pictures.
bunky
Original Author
2 years ago
I had two pailfull of the astilbes....there HAS to be seeds here!
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
2 years ago
Right. It wasn’t clear you had that much material.
gawdinfever Z6
2 years ago
My post disappeared, so I'll try again.
gawdinfever Z6
2 years ago
My post disappeared, so I'll try again.
bunky
Original Author
2 years ago
That's what I thought they were, but everyone else seemed to thiink not! I had planned on trading/selling the astilbe seeds (I sell online organic seeds) , but when I'm not completely sure of what I have I don't take that chance of someone not getting what they ordered or wanted. I appreciated all the comments, but I finally quit. I may try some for myself and watch what I'm planting to determine what the actual seeds are. I'll try one more time, as I appreciate you responding with that info! Thanks again!

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