Collecting seed

[Tursiops2]

A friend has some Meadow Cranesbill growing in his garden, just now going to seed. I want to collect some for sowing elsewhere - how do I do this?
Cheers
T2

[Meta menardi]

I would try shoving some heads (of the flowers, of course) in a paper bag and giving them plenty of space to rattle around, and see if that gets you what you want. Works for me with the Cowslips that grow in the lawn.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Meta menardi

I would try shoving some heads (of the flowers, of course) in a paper bag and giving them plenty of space to rattle around, and see if that gets you what you want. Works for me with the Cowslips that grow in the lawn.

Cheers for the tip Phil my friend has cowslips in her lawn I will get some seeds from her.

[Tursiops2]

Ok, sounds simple enough, but when should I do this? When all the flower heads have gone to seed? When the heads have dried out a bit?

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

Ok, sounds simple enough, but when should I do this? When all the flower heads have gone to seed? When the heads have dried out a bit?

I saw Carol Klein sow some in the green that is green seeds but sown straight away, not sure if you can do this with all seeds especially if the plants are not hardy or annuals.

otherwise I would wait till like you said and collect them when the flowers have died off.

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Cheers for the tip Phil my friend has cowslips in her lawn I will get some seeds from her.

If you are going to plant Cowslip seed, it needs some time in the fridge to convince it that there has been a cold spell and it is not coming on too early. I gave it about 3 weeks in the ordinary fridge and I have had good germination. I sowed on seed tray and just left it outside, a little replanting as it grew on gave me so many plants that all the neighbours, and there grown up children, now have some. You do need to check that the seed capsule in the head has got seeds in (gently squeeze the old flower head, you should feel a good lump), and that the seed is ripening, it turns from green to black/dark brown. I think they are such a delightful plant, starting with a grey green leaf and the spreading uot and producing those cheering early yellow flowers.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Meta menardi

If you are going to plant Cowslip seed, it needs some time in the fridge to convince it that there has been a cold spell and it is not coming on too early. I gave it about 3 weeks in the ordinary fridge and I have had good germination. I sowed on seed tray and just left it outside, a little replanting as it grew on gave me so many plants that all the neighbours, and there grown up children, now have some. You do need to check that the seed capsule in the head has got seeds in (gently squeeze the old flower head, you should feel a good lump), and that the seed is ripening, it turns from green to black/dark brown. I think they are such a delightful plant, starting with a grey green leaf and the spreading uot and producing those cheering early yellow flowers.

Thanks,
Yes, I love them too and I hope they will self seed once they are established.

[metalfish]

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

A friend has some Meadow Cranesbill growing in his garden, just now going to seed. I want to collect some for sowing elsewhere - how do I do this?
Cheers
T2

Don't worry, tis easy. (might be stating the obvious here but I don't know how much you already know) After the flower has gone you'll see a green seed thingy (technical term) developing. This will go brown- you want to collect the seed when it's turning brown...best to look quite often as this plant's seed develops in individual cups which, when ripe, get flung like out of a catapolt used to lay seige to a castle! This'll make sense when you see the seed pods.
The plant may well be producing new flowers at the same time as producing seed so just have a regular check to see what is going on.

All seed is best collected into a paper or hessian bag, then spread thinly on a tray and left to dry somewhere dark and dry. You can then store it (in a paper bag) somewhere cool and dark or sow it. Probably best to sow some when you collect it and then some in late summer/ autumn, then use the strongest plants to pot on and then transfer into your garden next year.
All the cranesbills use this catapolt system to spread themselves and it's very impressive. This might'v even been where the original idea for catapolts come from....maybe?!
Good luck

[Jez]

T2 Anything you would like from my meadow your most welcome to! I have plenty of Woods cranesbill, Knapweed, Ox eye, Yarrow, Dark Mullein, Dropwort, White & red campion, Nettle leaved bellflower, hairy St.Johns Wort, (Wild carrot should be in flower soon as so should Devils bit) Dark Mullein, Small Scabious. I can send what I can just give me a nod via PM if your interested!

[Tursiops2]

metalfish - thanks for that, very helpful. The site I have in mind for this is a large garden I'm about to take responsibility for. It has an area of rough grass/neglected lawn that looks like it should make a half-decent wildflower meadow, but I need to study it more closely and do some preparation before I plant anything, so potting and plug-planting next year is probably the way I'll go. How big are the individual seeds, and how long will they remain viable?

jez - thanks for the offer. Hopefully, we'll have the chance to discuss this on-site soon

T2

[metalfish]

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

metalfish - thanks for that, very helpful. The site I have in mind for this is a large garden I'm about to take responsibility for. It has an area of rough grass/neglected lawn that looks like it should make a half-decent wildflower meadow, but I need to study it more closely and do some preparation before I plant anything, so potting and plug-planting next year is probably the way I'll go. How big are the individual seeds, and how long will they remain viable?

jez - thanks for the offer. Hopefully, we'll have the chance to discuss this on-site soon

T2

The seeds are less'ish than 1/2 cm! Easy enough to see and pick up individually. I don't know how long they are viable for, but I don't think they are one of the short-lived species. I'd say a few years at least, alot depends on storage conditions (3-6 degrees centigrade in a dark & dry place is preferable). Meadow cranesbill is an easy plant to grow so just go for it

Jez's offer sounds like a good one for starting your meadow, he might be able to send you grass seed too. www.naturescape.co.uk is a good source for UK wildflower/ grass/ tree & pond plants, their website is good for advise on meadow creation too.
As you've already mentioned preperation is the key- initial effort will make for a successful meadow that needs virtually no care in the future (just two cuts) , the main thing that makes meadow creation fail or last only 1-2 years is scimping on ground preperation. Just see Naturescape website- specially if your starting your plants as plugs so you have the time to prep the ground as your plants grow.

[Gill Catton]

I have manged to get meadow cranesbill growing from a cutting if that helps. plenty of rooting hormone on a cut stem put in soil and away it went!