How to collect zinnia seeds from a flower at home, video
How to collect zinnia seeds at home
Collecting them is quite simple, but there are subtleties that need to be considered.
- The seeds ripen and become ready to harvest two months after the zinnias begin to bloom. It is best to select the buds of those plants that bloom first. Insects managed to pollinate them, and the seeds themselves were able to ripen and dry out in their natural environment.
- If it’s rainy weather, it makes sense to cut off the heads and let them dry at home at room temperature. Otherwise, the seeds can rot.
- How to collect zinnia seeds from a flower – just peel them out with your hands and clean them of dried plant debris. You need to select the largest, healthiest-looking specimens.
If you look closely at the collected seeds, you can see that they are different from each other and the zinnias from them grow slightly different. There are the following varieties:
- Reminiscent of flat shields. They are uneven, slightly brown in color. A small notch can be seen at the top of these seeds. Non-double zinnias grow from them, that is, they have only one row of reed flowers.
- Seeds are “spears”. They are distinguished by a darker shade and an oblong shape, which becomes a little narrower towards the base. Semi-double and double flowers can sprout from these seeds.
- With subulate tongue. Gray and elongated. It is from them that the most beautiful, terry inflorescences grow.
Those who want to see exclusively double or non-double zinnias on their site will have to be a breeder for a while and carefully separate some seeds from others. Although both plants are very attractive during the flowering period.
It is not enough to know how to harvest zinnia seeds; you need to store them properly. A regular paper bag works well for this. Place it in a cool dry place. You can also store seeds in the refrigerator, the main thing is to protect them from temperature changes. It is also necessary to ensure that the seeds are not attacked by the fungus.
How long can they be stored? The seeds are capable of waiting for sowing for 3-4 years.
It takes very little effort to decorate your site with vibrant colors. A video on how to collect zinnia seeds will give confidence to even the most inexperienced gardeners.