This shows the seeds as tan?

Karen

Here is a link that might be useful: Gomphrena seeds

Check out this link:

Gomphrena seeds

PV

Thanks for that, PV. I searched but didn't find that thread.

That is kind of odd that they don't turn brown. I was reasonably sure that they were ready for harvest when the plant was releasing them. I can tell I'll never be successful in harvesting these as I just can't be all that diligent. Those things are flying off pretty fast. I'll probably end up buying seeds next year.

Does gomphrena reseed for anyone?

Karen

My experience with Strawberry fields is that paper white with the hard seed at the tip is a good seed.

bakemom: Can I collect the whole blossom after the seeds start dropping? Will they be viable? Those seeds are getting away awfully fast.

Karen

I am no expert and this is a plant that is not so easy to grow from me. My advice: if ma nature is letting them go, go get them.

Thanks, bakemom.

Actually, I had low germination on them, too, but I really like them and would like to try them again next year. Maybe my luck will improve.

Karen

I love growing the 'Strawberry Fields' but have just bought new seed as I wasn't sure what was the seed. Are you all saying that each of those thingys in that little ball has a seed in it. When I pulled them out last year I only got the long part. Is the seed in that part. So far mine are not that far along.

Yes, Indy. Each little red petal on the flower head contains a seed. They turn from red to white, starting at the bottom of the blossom, though mine are dropping while the tips are still red. Examine the petals and you will see a seed inside.

I was just surprised because they don't turn brown or black as most mature seeds do. Just when you think you know how to collect seeds, one comes along to confuse you.

Karen

HI,
This is one of my new favorite plants. I planted some in
the summer of '07 and they were huge, almost bush like, lavender
purple & white. I had read that they happily reseeded, so
I didn't bother harvesting any last fall.

This summer they came up everywhere in my zone 5b garden.
We also had an abundance of rain this year, so maybe
that helped with germination. I would find little puff
flower heads scattered here & there and planted a few
in milk jugs. This year I am just going to pluck
the heads and let them dry and plant them out next spring.

I don't know if they need cold stratified.

Mary
z 5b KS