How to Collect Dahlia Seeds From Plants
Dahlias are beautiful bloomers that can produce enormous flowers sought by many avid gardeners. The plant creates seed pods once the blooms are finished, if you don't deadhead the plant. You can aid your mature dahlias in creating these seed pods by removing the outer petals of the spent bloom. On younger dahlias, you can let the seed pod close naturally on the plant. Then, harvest the pod when it has matured from a bright green to a soft yellow. Use the pod to collect the seeds and propagate your dahlias. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Gardening scissors
- Shallow container
- Electric fan
- Plastic bags or plastic bottles
Instructions
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1
Cut the seed pod from the plant using your gardening scissors. Leave 6 inches of stem attached to the pod.
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2
Bunch the pods in groups according to variety. Allow the dahlia pods to dry until about mid-December. You can hang them or lie them flat on a bench that is protected from the weather.
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3
Move the dried seed pods to a basement or other dark area to store and finish drying.
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4
Shuck the seeds in February by gently crushing the pod. Discard the pod and attached stem. Place the seeds in a shallow container, a handful or more at a time.
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5
Use a fan to blow the bracts and any other debris from the seeds. Shake the container gently as you're blowing air over the seeds to make sure the debris is removed.
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6
Sort the seeds. Viable seeds are stiff and feel heavy for their size. Store in labeled plastic bags or bottles.
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Comments
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Is there anywhere on the Net where I can actually see a picture of seeds. I see from the number of times the question is asked its a common problem, but trying to find a site with pictures of seeds is driving me crazy!
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I finally found a site that talks about it. Dahlias are so messy (between flowering and drying out) and finding seed is like needle in a haystack but i did cut the nearly dead flowers off and am drying it the rest of the way upside down in a brown bag... after it's good and dry will see what i have...
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just dry the old flowers and sow when your ready...sometimes the seed will remain viable...no guarantees.
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Thanks Joel Timyan so eventually if i keep removing dead petals i should eventually get to it i guess. I'll look for the "ovary" hmmmmm
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You will not find the seed in the flower...however, in the middle of the flower should be the ovary which when fertilized by pollen becomes the seed as part of the fruit.
