O.K. let's expand this a little. How about saving any seeds from perennials that haven't ripened and dried out? It's got to be a pretty common problem for fall bloomers and Minnesota growers.I'm new to seed collecting so if I want to try any winter sowing or seed swapping I need your help.

Well, I've never collected seeds from my cimicifuga (bugbane), but I do tend to lay the seed stalk down a bit later in the year and let it get covered over by snow. This usually nets me some volunteer plants, which I've successfully transplanted to other areas of the yard, neighbors' houses, and so forth. Doesn't help with seed swapping, but it's more of a lazy gardener's approach to winter sowing. I don't believe they bloomed any later this year than other years, so I'd guess their seeds aren't bothered by freezing. Something to think about.

Some plants' seeds will ripen after picking, some won't do so well. I don't have direct experience with seed harvesting from the 2 plants mentioned, but if you're going to be swapping it you might want to include a disclaimer and/or a larger amount of seed to offset possibly lowered germination rates.

If the plants respond like tomatoes would to a hard freeze, I would pick the seedheads at that point, bring them into a warm, ventilated space and let them dry out, then separate the seed. If the plant is tougher, you could leave it out a bit longer.

Good luck! Collecting seeds is fun.

run it by on the seed collecting forum. Maybe someone there can offer expertise...
Suz

Mostly you can tell if the plant has died where the seeds are- I would wait until then, when there is no chance of more ripening- to pick "early", before you know they are fully ripe. The cold shouldn't hurt the seed any- it just might make cleaning the seed messier-
With he cimi- it has been my experiance that folks like to know they are getting very fresh seed- I guess if it is stored or allowed to dry- it's germination rate greatly decreases. I don't know- but cold stratification (Moist vermiculite in a baggie in the fridge)- as soon as it is cleaned may be the way to go to keep it as viable as can be-
Most folks who swap on GW are very understanding when trading with new seed savers- espicially when you let them know you are new-
Best of luck to you- Your gonna have a blast!
P.S.- check my seed list- maybe we can swap!
Julie

Thanks all- It's going to be close-the pods are almost ripe. I may try protecting the plants to buy just a little more time.

P.S.S. Julie- thanks, I was hoping you would chime in. We will have to set up a swap- I have plenty of seed collected off of ligularia 'Britt Marie Crawford' and I have Echinacea 'Ruby Star'.

And I have collected too much seed already- and still waiting to haul in more!
I have been trying to stay better at keeping records of what I have to offer- and what I am going to try to grow this year-
I thought I would tell you that WS Tricertis worked well for me last year! As a matter of fact- 2 of the babes have blooms on them! I don't have the heart to lop off the flowers so they would save energy to get through the winter- If they want to celebrate with a bloom- I wanna watch! Who knew it would be so(w) easy to WS and work so well!
I had no luck with the Cimi (WS) or Ligs (indoors)- but I do believe they need long warm and cold periods to break dormancy- I will study more this time and try again!
Send me a note to let me know what you would like, List all you would like- don't worry about an even trade- I have seed, and I like to share- It is good to know that these seeds will grow on-
Julie

I'd think that as fall sowers they have have some type of preservation system built into them. 'Come on! As brutal as some of the winters are, as early as some are...they gotta have something going for them!

My toadies came through last winter just fine, so hoping for another successful year. Didn't notice any seedlings this spring....

As far as the Ligs, Julie, I started some "Desdemona" a couple of years ago, I don't recall doing anything special, but may have put them in the freezer for a month or so. They started easily...but very slow growing. The two year old plants are finally getting some size to them, about 18" tall right now.

Lynn