| Most
seeds can be planted as soon as they are ripe, or dried and stored
for later use. The best time to collect seeds is when they are
mature. Many seeds begin to ripen in early summer and can be
harvested in the fall. To be sure, get acquainted with the plants
from which you will be collecting seeds. Some seeds are hard to
collect because the plant has dispersal mechanisms that throw the
seeds. Timing your visit to verify seed maturity is
therefore important.
As the seeds or fruits mature,
check them frequently for ripeness. Seeds are ripe when they have
turned dark and hard. Berries are ripe when they change to their
"ripe" color(s). Try to collect shortly before the seeds reach
full maturity. If you wait too long, you could lose
the seeds or berries to animals or to the wind. When collecting seed
capsules or cones, look to see whether there still are seeds
inside. Make a note of the dates you find particular species of
seed ripening so that in future years you will know when to
collect them.
It is important to consider genetic
diversity when propagating plants from seed. Collect seeds from
several different plants to ensure genetic diversity – preferably
plants at least 100 feet apart. Collect from areas that are
similar to your planting site and, if possible, from within the
same watershed. These strategies will help ensure that plant genes
match their growing environment for the best chance of successful
propagation.
Collect seeds in paper bags, as plastic
bags will trap moisture and rot the seed. However, plastic bags do
work well for moister berries, such as cascara and salmonberry. Be
sure to write the plant species and the collection date and
location on the bags.
Most fruits or seed capsules can be
picked directly off the plant. You may need to use a ladder to
reach them on trees and taller shrubs. Never cut off branches to
get the seeds!
Cones should be collected before
they open, usually after they start to turn brown. To remove cones
from conifers, pick easy-to-reach cones and use a ladder or long
pruners to reach cones in upper branches. Don't
cut off branches to get the cones, and take care not to damage the
tree.
The seed heads of rushes, sedges,
and bulrushes should be picked just before they are ripe, and
placed in a paper bag to dry. As they dry, the seed capsules will
burst open and the seed will fall to the bottom of the bag. If not
planted immediately, these seeds should be stored in moist sand at
about 40° F. |
