After the flower is done flowering it turns into a small, round, smooth pod the size of a pea. The only way I can describe it is "button-like". That's the "pod" where the seeds are being formed. Eventually that pod will start to dry out. As it dries out it will break open and tiny little brown seeds will fall out.

My advice will probably sound crazy, but watch the pods. (Sounds like a 1970s alien movie, right?)

I already did this this year--so I know what I'm talking about. I picked the first pod too soon. I ripped open the pod and tiny green seeds spilled out on the counter. They were probably too young to grow--premature.

I'm not patient, can you tell? So now I'm trying to watch for the next pod and wait longer. If I wait too long the pod will break open and the seeds will spill into the dirt. I'd rather save them and try wintersowing. Some people wrap the pods with a small piece of pantryhose or something you can securely wrap around it that will keep the seeds inside, but let it breath (no plastic).

Heidi

I've--successfully--grown balloon flowers from seed via winter sowing for many years. Once the pods ripen, I harvest the seeds and save them in paper bowls on racks inside my garage. Once the winter solstice rolls around, I winter sow the seeds and plant the seedlings the following early summer. All the balloon flowers in my garden are from WS seeds. I have white as well as blue.

Gardenweed, would you care to trade some of your white bf seeds? If so send me an email. I have a very large selection of seeds to choose from, mostly vegetable.