Hi Jenny,
I feel your pain. I just placed a plastic bag over my forget me nots and shook the heck out of them. I was able to get alot of seed this way. My seeds contain chaff. I try to get them clean as much as possible but sometimes it just is too hard and time consuming. I am sure someone with more experience will come in soon. The viola seed I wait until the pod is tan and than place a plastic baggie over the plant and check everyday. The pod seems to expand when the seed is ready than I open the pod and there are the seeds. That is a pretty poppy..... Barb

Little seeds I separate with a paper plate,I just let the seed slide down one side,chaff seems to stick to the other,I collect the seed,than tilt the plate again,giving it a little shake,and then repeat over and over until I am comfortable I got all,or most of the seed. Some are just a pain in the rear to separate from the chaff,or it is impossible,those ones I trade with chaff! I love the color of that poppy! I am with you,Coral!

I just inherited one of those lighted magnifying glass gizmos that I hope is going to help a lot with cleaning seed, cause I am finding any really close up work difficult these days (and I'm only 47!)I use both of the techniques above, but I use a long plastic lightweight serving tray as the "plate" and I am amazed that the seed/chaf will travel down it at different rates. For most seeds I find that they are heavier than the chaf and thats easy - just collect what's at the bottom. For some tiny tiny ones the opposite is true - the chaf falls and the seeds "stick". Shake shake shaking in a bag can do the same thing - heavy stuff falls.

I'd love to trade for some of that poppy seed - check my trade list to see if there is anything you would like!

Nancy

kewl! I suppose it's not proper to do an exchange on this list, should be on the exchange one. Didn't think of that!!
But I would love some of your Malva mystic merlin seed. I am planning on do a Malva bed across the front of my house. I have a white one, and zebrina, and one called Malva Mauritiana, which I have not grown, but recieved some seeds.

Between all of these, it should be a nice display! I just need to get the bed prepared first.

Oh yeah, before I can prepare the bed, the DH needs to do some work, putting up a plywood and lattice back to the garden. There is nothing but empty space there under the sunporch now! Hopefully we will get this done yet this fall. (sorry more than you needed to know!)

I will contact you through your member page.

Jenny P

Jenny - who cares? We are not professionals, we are hobbyists. Just cut those maltese cross heads into a bowl and shake and squeeze. Toss the heads back into the garden for self sowing and forget about it. That's it.

There are folks who care about chaff for some reason, so just put a disclaimer on your page. Otherwise, relax and have fun.

Chaff is OK. Doesn't hurt anything.

I agree with bakemom! Chaff doesnt bother me as long as there is seed in there,but some do. If you let them know what they are getting,usually not a problem! Have fun with this ! :D

"Hopefully we will get this done yet this fall. (sorry more than you needed to know!) "

There is where you are wrong,we love to hear what others are up to! Welcome!:)

Oh Thanks Bakemom for making us newbies feel ok about our chaff issues. You are the best.............. Barb

In fact, I think chaff is an education about the seeds. You can see how the plant sets seeds and get an idea of what you are dealing with. If there are half broken pods, etc, you undstand the plant.

Relax and have fun.

Mine are hanging in paper bags in the stairs leading to the basement. In the bags are stems, pods, seeds and all. Later this fall, I shake them well then cut a small hole in the bottom and let the seeds pour out.

If there's any chaff in my seed packets, them so be it since it's noted on my exchange page when I post the loot.

The DH eats these yogurts that have domed lids (they come with crushed cookies and junk inside the lids that you dump into the yogurt).
They have turned out to be the perfect size for seed collecting.
I cut off a pod, crack it a little and throw it into the container.
When its full of pods I shake the heck out of it, lid on of course, and most of the seeds will fly out and stay at the bottom.
I pick out the big pieces of pod/chaff by hand. Blowing in the container usually clears out the lighter bits.
This has worked really well for Agastache, Foxgloves, Snapdragons, Rose Campion and Lambs Ear.

Tiffy's paper bag idea works well too, especially for small seeds like Alyssum that run the length of a stem.
:)

Cant help you with Viola/Pansy seeds. I always miss the boat on those. I swear they open the second I walk away. :(
Maybe going out at 2am with a flashlight, raincoat and those glasses with the nose and mustache attached might help. Element of surprise and all......

leecb,I use those too! I love them,they do work perfectly ! Little butter dishes are another one I like,or those plastic cups you buy for parties! LOL.... I pictured a woman outside at night stalking Viola seeds incognito ,you do have to watch them,they burst open so quickly,I grab mine when the pod goes tan,the seeds have always been just fine!

bakemom,I really agree with the pods/seed heads being a learning experience,I have appreciated seeing where the seed comes out of myself numerous times,I just wish everyone would see it that way! :) I also love to collect pods,so when seeds come attached to a pod,to me it is a bonus! :)

I have been snapping pics of pods and seeds of the plants I have,that way if anyone has the "What does the seed look like?" question I am prepared! Besides some pods are just as neat as the flower! :D

are hard to collect and you have to be right there when the pods open. I try to always carry a small plastic bag with me since I only collect seeds of one kind - Blue Morpho. When I walk in the house, I empty the open pods into my paper bag and place the plastic sandwich bag by the door for future runs.

It's a hit and miss that's for sure. :O) Slugs also like the fresh green pods before they harden.

I'm new to seed collecting, so I'm still learning myself. There is definitely some good advice here so thanks for everyone for that!

I do love that poppy you have and also have interest in your songbird columbine. Please check my trade list and let me know if we can arrange a trade.

Thanks,
Diana

Here is a link that might be useful: Ollierose's Trade List

Thanks! for those who want to trade, it seems my emails don't get through. Please contact me at pcajenny AT yahoo DOT com.

Jenny P