How to Harvest Snapdragon Seeds for Next Year, by OnlyDansGarden on YouTube. 1 min.
- Video length
- 1 min
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Leave the flower spikes on the plant after the blooms drop. Small round seed pods form along the stem where each flower was.
Wait until the pods turn brown, papery and dry. Green pods will not ripen once you pick them, so be patient.
Hold a paper envelope or small paper bag under the spike. Snip the whole stem off with scissors and tip it into the bag.
Rub or snap each pod between your fingers over the envelope. The pods split open and release tiny brown seeds.
Pick out the dry pod cases and stem bits. Tilt the envelope gently and blow softly to lift the light chaff away.
Write the plant name, flower colour and the date on the envelope. Colour matters because saved seed can differ from the parent.
Tip the seeds into a labelled jar or leave them in the paper envelope. Add a silica gel packet if the air is damp.
Store the seeds somewhere cool and dry, such as a cupboard or the fridge door. Keep them out of sunlight until you sow next spring.
Tips and common mistakes
Work over paper indoors or on a still day, because snapdragon seeds are tiny and scatter easily.
Snapdragons are often sold as F1 hybrids, so saved seed may give different flower colours and weaker plants than the ones you grew.
Seal the container properly. Damp is the main reason saved seed rots before sowing time.
Take pods from several healthy plants rather than one spike so you get a good amount of viable seed.
Questions
How do I know when snapdragon seed pods are ready to pick?
The pods turn from green to brown and feel papery and dry. Give the stem a gentle shake and you may hear the ripe seed rattling inside.
How long can I keep saved snapdragon seeds?
Stored cool and dry in a sealed container, the seed usually stays good for a few seasons. Sow it the following spring for the best germination rate.
Will my saved seeds grow the same colour flowers?
Not always. Snapdragons cross-pollinate easily, so expect a mix of colours from seed saved off your plants.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
