How To Save Zinnia Seeds. I Did It Wrong For Years Before I Learned This., by The Lost Acre on YouTube. 6 min 50 s.
- Video length
- 6 min 50 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Wait until the flower head is fully dry and brown on the plant. Do not cut green or half-faded blooms, because the seeds inside will not be ripe.
Do the wiggle test. Gently wiggle the dried flower head or stem. If the seeds are ready, the head feels loose and seeds start to come free.
Pick a dry day with no rain in the forecast. Harvest in the afternoon once any morning dew has dried off the plants.
Pull the dried flower head apart over a bowl or paper. The seeds are flat, arrow-shaped and attached at the base of the petals.
Sort the keepers from the duds. Keep plump, dark, fully formed seeds and discard thin, pale or shrivelled ones.
Let the sorted seeds air dry on a plate or paper for a few days in a warm, dry room before storing.
Put the seeds in a paper envelope or a small jar. Label it with the variety and the date so you know what you have next spring.
Store the container somewhere cool and dry, away from direct sun. A cupboard or fridge door shelf works well.
Tips and common mistakes
Harvesting too early is the most common mistake and gives poor germination, so let the heads go fully brown first.
Only save seeds from open-pollinated zinnias if you want the same flower next year, since hybrids may not come true.
Add a silica gel packet to the jar in humid climates to keep the seeds from going mouldy.
Keep different varieties in separate labelled envelopes so you do not mix them up.
Questions
How do I know the zinnia seeds are ripe?
The flower head turns dry and brown and the seeds come loose when you wiggle or rub the head. Green heads and soft seeds are not ready.
How long do saved zinnia seeds last?
Stored cool and dry in a sealed envelope or jar, zinnia seeds usually stay viable for two to three years. Label them with the year you saved them.
Can I save seeds from any zinnia?
Yes, but seeds from hybrid varieties may grow into plants that look different from the parent. Save from open-pollinated types if you want a repeat of the same bloom.
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.
