Scarecrow Posted March 27, 2013 (edited) so after reading about the interesting effects of this plant I realized I've been passing one growing casually/carelessly in someone's front yard on the way to the train station nearly every for the past... very long time. i grabbed some pictures today on my way to uni: then i grabbed (what looks to me like) a pod of seeds on the way home so I could try and grow some of my own: however, I soon realized i may have done this a bit prematurely, because I don't really have any idea when these seeds are meant to be harvested. i looked around and couldn't find much information on the subject at all; the only information regarding collecting seeds i was able to dig up kept mentioning spiky flower pods (which makes me think that they were actually talking about leonotis nepetifolia), or calling it "motherwort" (which is a name for some other variety of leonitus)... so: can anybody tell me if these seeds i have will be viable? if not, when should i actually collect seeds? do i need to treat them in any way after harvesting? Edited March 27, 2013 by Scarecrow Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
endorfinder Posted March 27, 2013 Dry them out for a day or two, plant them and find out - they should germinate within a week or so if they're ok. In general though, observe the plant over time and watch the development of the pods to get a better idea of when to harvest the seed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoOnThen Posted March 27, 2013 This has puzzled me for some time. I have looked on a regular basis when my plant is flowering and have never been able to find seeds. Has anyone collected their seeds? When the flowers have dropped off is that two late? Then again I don't even know what the seeds look like so I suppose I should find a pic first so I know what I am looking for. Cheers Got Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theuserformallyknownasd00d Posted March 27, 2013 If the seeds are a dark grey/black they are ready as far as I know. Never harvested seed, I usually harvet the leaf and flower at the same time and discard of the plant. i then source seed off friends for the next season... This season will be different cos of this thread ;) Some general seed saving advice is the pod will tell you when it's ready. They generally dry up, loose 70-90% water, and let the seeds fall free when shaked vigorously over a bowl/plate. I'm in no way qualified but this is all I base my proven seed saving skills on 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scarecrow Posted March 27, 2013 Dry them out for a day or two, plant them and find out - they should germinate within a week or so if they're ok. In general though, observe the plant over time and watch the development of the pods to get a better idea of when to harvest the seed. all right, i'll give it a try. for science! This has puzzled me for some time. I have looked on a regular basis when my plant is flowering and have never been able to find seeds. Has anyone collected their seeds? When the flowers have dropped off is that two late? Then again I don't even know what the seeds look like so I suppose I should find a pic first so I know what I am looking for. Cheers Got the pod i saw (and the one i took) were at the top of one of the "flower towers". having looked more closely at a flower pod also i saw a few bits that looked like my 'seeds' also... so it's also possible that what i have is actually a premature flower or something. If the seeds are a dark grey/black they are ready as far as I know. Never harvested seed, I usually harvet the leaf and flower at the same time and discard of the plant. i then source seed off friends for the next season... This season will be different cos of this thread ;) Some general seed saving advice is the pod will tell you when it's ready. They generally dry up, loose 70-90% water, and let the seeds fall free when shaked vigorously over a bowl/plate. I'm in no way qualified but this is all I base my proven seed saving skills on hmm... what i have is more of a tan/light brown colour. i'll try endorfinder's suggestion and see if anything happens; if it doesn't, i'll keep an eye on the plant and try and grab some when the flowers start drying up as you described. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
at0m Posted March 27, 2013 I've been doing the shake to get them out. Cut them off and make sure you leave about 2-3cm of stem on atleast one side, let them dry until they're 100% dry (no sign of green at all) and then hold them over a large bowl and shake like crazy. Fair warning: They're rather spikey... Hope you asked before picking their flowers... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LokStok Posted March 27, 2013 what you have picked scarecrow is a young emerging flower . Go to your pic #1, in the middle of the pic is the fully flowering orange flower, to the left of that are the green ball like structures that are the remains of when the orange petals discard. This is made up of multiple tubes. Further to the left of that is a stalk of these balls that have dried and are brown. This is where the mature seeds are. Pick and shake in a bag or bucket. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scarecrow Posted March 27, 2013 what you have picked scarecrow is a young emerging flower . Go to your pic #1, in the middle of the pic is the fully flowering orange flower, to the left of that are the green ball like structures that are the remains of when the orange petals discard. This is made up of multiple tubes. Further to the left of that is a stalk of these balls that have dried and are brown. This is where the mature seeds are. Pick and shake in a bag or bucket. ahhh i thought that might be the case. keen eye though, i had totally forgot there were already dry pods there. thanks for the info! i will take a look tomorrow! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theuserformallyknownasd00d Posted March 27, 2013 Don't take too much! The owners might be planning in using this plant themselves! The seeds are readily available to experiment with online Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scarecrow Posted March 28, 2013 Don't take too much! The owners might be planning in using this plant themselves! The seeds are readily available to experiment with online i won't, i won't... but i really doubt the owners have any clue what it is. it's been there for years and never once been harvested. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simhanada Posted March 28, 2013 Knock on their door and ask if you can take some. Its looking pretty prolific and if you think they've never harvested it then they may not mind. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kindness Posted March 28, 2013 This is a very common weed. Grows all over the place. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theuserformallyknownasd00d Posted March 28, 2013 Sure is, if you ask they might be happy for you to take em! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bullit Posted March 29, 2013 whats wrong with picking sum flowers from yas neighbours garden?? i pick flowers for my kids and wife all the time lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites