Hi Julie,
There is a glitch in the system. They are still there. One way to retrieve them is to remember the last post date. That is shown in the preview. Then go back to the forum main page and click on page numbers taking a guess of where you think the post might be. Then go higher or lower according to your guess. This is a pain, lol. Another way that might work(I haven't tried it yet)is to copy the post title and google it. GW posts pop up at the top of google searches, so I'm assuming that would work too.
Anyway, about the seeds, wait for the pods to brown. Green pods means the seeds are not ready yet. Once the pods are brown, cut one off and check to make sure the seeds are ripe. Sometimes plants have brown pods which seem ready and are not. If your test pod looks good, then harvest the stems. If not wait a bit and check again.
Remy

Thank you for the tip on the search. Works best when you google the Subject of Posting search results.

Found penstemon listed in the FAQ's. Looks like a bugger to save that seed but will give it a try.

Thanks again for the help.

Julia

It's not a problem to save Husker Red. It requires patience. They bloom early and go to pods, but the pods do not ripen and crack until months later. The pods will open at the base like little flutes. Then, I snip them to dry and crack them open for the seeds. The seeds smell like feet.

The good news is that germination rate is excellent and the plants are quite hardy. Hang in there.

Wow,I just thought people weren't interested in Penstemon. I got a few replies in the Wintersowing forum. Should I cut and paste them here?
Julia, thanks for reminding me about the FAQ section of this forum.

gee_oh-nyc
Sure...please post your responses here. I'd like to see what others have to say.

The seeds smell like feet? You mean the smell of feet when someone has been wearing sneakers wayyyyyy to long? I call that punky feet.LOL.

Julia