How to Collect Gazania Seeds
Known as the African Daisy or Treasure Flower, Gazania (Gazania ringens) are members of the aster family that are native to South Africa. With cheery daisy-like blooms that close up in dim light, gazania range in colors from bright yellow, orange and red, to pink and white. These sun-loving flowers grow between 6 and 12 inches tall, and are perfect for front borders and rock gardens. Gazania are tender annuals in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 1 though 8, but can be perennial in zones 9 and above. Gardeners who wish to propagate gazania can do so by following easy steps for collecting seed.
Collecting Gazania Seeds
Wait until petals have fallen from your gazania flower heads, letting them mature until they are brown.
Snip off the spent heads using pruning shears and place them in an open paper bag to dry out for another week or two.
- Known as the African Daisy or Treasure Flower, Gazania (Gazania ringens) are members of the aster family that are native to South Africa.
- These sun-loving flowers grow between 6 and 12 inches tall, and are perfect for front borders and rock gardens.
Remove the fluffy seed heads from the bag and break open the pods over your bowl. The fuzzy, cone shaped seeds then can be collected for spring sowing.
Store seeds in a labeled envelope placed in a dry, cool room until spring planting season arrives.
Collect Gazania Seeds
Tie a bright piece of yarn or string around one or two of the healthiest, most robust gazania plants. Snip the seed heads from the stem with a pair of scissors or garden shears when the petals drop from the plants and the heads are dry and brown. Label the paper sack with the date and type of plant. Place the sack in a warm, well-ventilated room until the seeds are dry enough to rattle and fall from the seed heads -- usually one to two weeks. Leave the sack open for air circulation. Break open the pods and remove the fuzzy, cone-shaped seeds. Gazania seeds retain their quality for at least one year.
- Remove the fluffy seed heads from the bag and break open the pods over your bowl.
- Snip the seed heads from the stem with a pair of scissors or garden shears when the petals drop from the plants and the heads are dry and brown.
Related Articles
References
- The North American Farmer: Flower Patch -- Growing Gazania
- The Laptop Gardener: Gazania – The Treasure Flower
- Texas A&M University Extension: Perennials, Annuals and Bulbs
- University of Maine Cooperative Extension: An Introduction to Seed Saving for the Home Gardener
- Washington State University Extension: Saving Seeds
- Gardening With Indigenous Plants: Easy to Grow Southern African Plants; Kristo Pienaar
Writer Bio
Roseann Losito-Raia has over 15 years of experience as a published freelance writer for "The Inside Connection," "The Music Paper" and "The Musician's Exchange." Since graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Long Island University, she has worked as a marketing and advertising manager in the music and DVD industry.
