As far as annual flowers go, you can hardly do better than marigolds. Marigolds are easy to grow, low maintenance, and a reliable source of bright color. They’re also famous for repelling harmful bugs, making them an excellent low impact and totally organic choice for pest management. Marigold seeds aren’t exactly expensive, but they do have to be replanted every year. Why not try collecting and storing marigold seeds this year? Keep reading to learn how to harvest marigold seeds.
Collecting Seeds from Marigold Flowers
Collecting seeds from marigold flowers is easy. That being said, the plants don’t form recognizable seed pods, so finding the seeds is tricky if you don’t know where to look. The first thing you need to do is wait for the flowers to fade and dry. Choose a flower head that is very withered and dried out. It should be mostly brown, with just a little bit of green left at the base. This green means it’s less likely to have started rotting. Cut the flower head from the plant a few inches (8 cm.) down the stem so as not to damage the seeds. Pinch the withered petals of the flower between your thumb and index finger of one hand, and the base of the flower head with the other hand. Gently pull your hands in opposite directions. The petals should slide clear of the base with a bunch of pointy black spears attached. These are your seeds.
Marigold Seed Saving
After collecting seeds from marigold flowers, lay them out for a day or so to dry. Storing marigold seeds is best done in a paper envelope so any additional moisture can escape. Plant them in the spring and you’ll have a whole new generation of marigolds. One thing to remember: when you’re collecting marigold seeds, you can’t necessarily depend upon getting a true copy of the parent’s flowers. If the plant you’ve harvested from is an heirloom, its seeds will produce the same kind of flowers. However, if it’s a hybrid (which is likely if you’ve gotten cheap plants from a garden center), then the next generation probably won’t look the same. There’s nothing wrong with this-- it can actually be very exciting and interesting. Just don’t be disappointed if the flowers you get look different from the flowers you had.
-
Keep Your Patio Pest-Free This Summer With These 5 Potted Plants That Repel MosquitoesTell biting insects to buzz off with these five potted plants that repel mosquitoes! Plus, one plant mosquitoes love that you should avoid at all costs.
-
When Is The Best Time To Water Plants? Expert Guide To Keep Plants Happy Even In The HeatProper watering can make or break your garden. Learn the best time to water plants so your garden can be healthy all summer long.
-
5 Marsh Marigold Lookalikes – And Which Cause The Most HarmMarsh marigolds have several lookalikes, and some of these lovely fast-growing plants can be harmful and invasive. It’s good to know the difference.
-
Marigold Flower Uses: Marigold Benefits For Gardens And BeyondMarigolds are appreciated primarily for their beauty, and you may not have considered the many surprising marigold benefits for gardens. Click on the following article to learn about ways to use marigold plants in the garden.
-
Marigold Vs. Calendula – Difference Between Marigolds And CalendulasIt’s a common question: Are marigold and calendula the same? The simple answer is no. Although both are members of the sunflower family, marigolds and calendula are plants with different genera. Why all the confusion? Find out in this article and how to tell them apart.
-
Cape Marigold Propagation – How To Propagate African Daisy FlowersAlso known as African daisy, cape marigold (Dimorphotheca) is an African native that produces masses of beautiful, daisy-like blooms. Cape marigold propagation is easy if you can provide plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil. Learn how to propagate it here.
-
Planting Cape Marigold Seeds: How To Sow Cape Marigold SeedsWhere you live and what your climate is like will determine whether you grow cape marigold as a summer or winter annual. Planting cape marigold seeds is an inexpensive way to get started with this pretty flower. This article will help with that.
-
Cape Marigold Varieties: Learn About Different Types Of African DaisiesCape marigolds are always a go-to plant for container designs. Of course, the key to a perfect container design is selecting the perfect varieties of these annual plants. Take a closer look at some of the many available cape marigold varieties in this article.
-
Can You Grow Cape Marigold Cuttings: How To Root Cape Marigold CuttingsIt is easy to get carried away and spend a fortune on small starter cape marigold plants each spring. However, hands-on, budget-minded gardeners may prefer to only buy a few and propagate more cape marigolds from cuttings. This article will help with that.
-
Feeding Cape Marigolds: How To Fertilize Cape MarigoldsBeginner gardeners are able to have great success when planting flowers that are robust and tolerant to adverse conditions. The cape marigold, rewards growers with bright and cheerful flowers, and both watering and feeding cape marigolds couldn’t be easier. Learn more here.
