help me save seeds

[geegee]

I have some zinnia and other flowers that I would love to save seeds from could any one show me how?Thank you :heart

[Naked Camper]

:popcorn

[geegee]

I asked plantmessenger group{yahoo} and received some help.First you dont cut off dead floer heads{the seeds are under the flower heads}Second you let the stem turn brown.When the stem is brown you may harvest your seeds.Next you dry your seeds then store them in an airtight container until its time to plant them.If someone wants to make a sticky out of this you may.Enjoy :heart

[Naked Camper]

Thanks for reporting back what you found :)

[geegee]

Sure!I hope many Mommas could save seed and have beautiful gardens for their families :heart

[Lady TS]

Another helpful hint is to put a piece of chalk in your container. It helps absorb any excess moisture. Or you can use those little nitrogen packs in vitamins/shoes/etc. Just be sure not to let kids play with/eat them!

Be aware that the seed won't always breed true, especially if it's a hybrid. :) Mostly talking vegetables, here.

[geegee]

Ive been taught that its better to save just heirloom seeds.

[Thankfulforgrace]

For storage I've also heard powdered milk fyi. Hoping it works b/c that's what's in my fridge with my seeds right now!

That's great about the chalk, must remember that.

[AppleSauceCookies]

:doh I need my own yard!

[mummy2boys]

:popcorn

[Dandelion]

I want to save seeds, mostly from some organic and heirloom tomatos. Is the procedure similar?:)

[houseforjoy]

tomatoes you need to put it in a jar and wait till they get foamy, then drain and dry on a paper towel.

anyone know how you get carrot seeds? if i leave a carrot in the ground how many seeds would i get from it?

---------- Post added at 03:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:35 PM ----------

http://howtosaveseeds.com/seedsavingdetails.php#beets
found this site sort of helpful

[Macky]

I can't believe I haven't clicked on this sticky before!

Amanda has it right for the tomato seeds. It's called fermenting the seeds and you can stick them in any sort of container, it doesn't have to be a jar. I plop the seeds and juices just in a custard cup and set them on the kitchen counter. After the first 24 hours or so, I drain off any liquid twice a day and keep going until all the jelly-like bits have turned to liquid and I've drained it away. Then I rinse them well and lay them out on a towel to dry for a bit. When they seem dry, I transfer them to a paper towel or piece of absorbant scrap paper and set them aside for a week or two where they can dry out thoroughly before going into a package for storage.

The New Seed-Starters' Handbook (http://www.amazon.ca/The-New-Seed-Starters-Handbook/dp/0878577521/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360617759&sr=1-2) by Nancy Bubel is an excellent book on both saving and starting seeds of all sorts. It covers flowers, veggies and trees quite thoroughly and it's my go-to book for sure. I've learned tricks in there that I have yet to see in online guides or other gardening books. Love it!