Nope, not duds...you can collect any of them...these plants will self sow, too. I consider them a hardy annual, because the seeds are heavy enough that they fall right where they stand.

Hmmm. Questioning here too, as I also assumed same as they are lighter in weight than the dark colored ones.

my friend down the road grows job's tears, he just lets some of the seeds fall and they come up next year. I don't think the plant itself ever survives, but who cares as long as you have them come back up next year anyway?

Sandy,

I'm interested out of curiosity. Some people in these parts overwinter palms, bananas, and other tender plants by cutting back and mulching heavily, and I want to give it a try with these. If it doesn't work, no big deal, I'll just plant seed. :)

Also I figure if I can overwinter the mature plants they will get bigger, flower sooner, and maybe produce more seeds than new plants started from seed.

Either way, I'll try to report my results...