I only had a few plants in 2008. I collected a few dried flower heads and in April I crumbled them up and planted everything in a winter sowing jug. Some sprouted for me.

These aren't the best photos. I love this flower.
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Don

Hey, most of everything I planted last year was collected or from trade witch most of those where collected. Had great results. Some plants that lasted through all season are: Blue Bonnets, Your Butterfly bushes, calendula, chinese lanterns( only 1 left, bugs love this one), celosia, clematis( only one), coleus, cosmos, dwarf dahlia, datura, foxgloves, gaillardia, gladiola from seed, geum, texas star hibiscus, rose of Sharon, marigolds, morning glory, nicotiana, 4 o'clocks, poppies, dianthus, zebra mallow, zinnias(over years you end up with one color if a mix), purple coneflower, many more germinated but didn't make it for different reasons. But there were also lots of seed that didn't do anything either.
Pattie

Sorry, I just totally disregarded your title. LOL

Thanks Don. I'm just trying to figure out if the baggie of seeds I collected will be worth sowing. I might direct sow in June since they like heat.

MC, that's okay. We all have out moments. Maybe we need a thread about collected seeds and germination rates for more than just this plant. :)

I did a few gazanias this year (have to check for seeds, forgot to do that) and I have terrific luck with it - thinking I should have sown more. They continued to bloom all summer. I think you would like them.

carrie

Token, I wintersowed Gazania the past two years in March. They germinated within 2 weeks in zone 5, survived numerous nights below freezing, safe in their jugs, were planted out in May, and started blooming by July.

The only thing about saving seeds from them, is that most are hybrids. So if you wanted flowers identical to the parent plant, you might be dissapointed. Otherwise, plant away. You never know though, you might get something even better than the original!

Bonnie

Thanks, Bonnie - I love surprises.

Carrie

Yeah, I couldn't care less about the original plant. I just have a dry sunny bed that they should do great in. I'm glad to hear what I collected is useful. I have half a quart sized ziplock full off seed and chaff.

I had the same luck as Bonnie, wintersown 2/22 sprouts 3/6 by far the best of all my wintersown babies. I don't think I lost a single one. More importantly my very first wintersown sprouts, so they were by far my favorite, and a couple are still in bloom this week. To bad it's suppose to snow tomorrow, I hate to see them go. Hybrid or not I'll plant the seeds.

Hmm, I'm thinking I need some of these guys!
-B

Brandy, post over in the winterswap thread and I'll make sure you get some. I have a LOT.

I was in charge of deadheading them at the store this summer. I collected all kinds of seed from there and brought them home.

Oh, I love gazanias! I tried to collect seed last year but was unsuccessful. Unfortunately, there is sometimes nothing to collect from the flower heads. I tried looking on the web for pictures that would clarify things a little, but there's not much out there. This year I was able to harvest seed from my wintersown plants and thought it would be helpful to share some pics with those of you who might be interested.

I left the heads on the plants until thoroughly dry. They seem to be somewhat "dehiscent", bursting open a little when ready.

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The seeds look like little "horns" with a "star eye" on the wide end. The remind me of hairy hydra polyps.

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Token, your post made me wonder if my seeds were viable, so I decided to do the paper towel test. Today I see roots! Guess I'm go to go...

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The really are lovely if you take the time for a good look.

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I'm ready for my close-up Mr. DeMille!

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