Snapdragons are a delightful addition to any garden, with their vibrant colors and whimsical dragon-like blooms. These beauties come in a stunning array of colors, including pink, red, yellow, white, orange, and even bi-colored varieties. Depending on your climate, snapdragons can be grown as either annuals or perennials. If you’re a fan of these charming flowers, why not save snapdragon seeds and enjoy them year after year?
Here’s how you can do it, along with a few tips and tricks I’ve picked up over the years.
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Choose the Right Time to Harvest
Timing is everything. You’ll want to let your snapdragons go to seed naturally. This means let the flowers to dry on the plant. I usually wait until late summer or early fall when the blooms start to wither and the seed pods begin to form. Patience is key here – the drier, the better! I remember when I first bought snapdragon seeds from a local nursery. Now, I haven’t had to buy them again because I keep collecting seeds from my plants, year after year, creating an endless cycle of beautiful blooms.
Identify the Seed Pods
Snapdragon seeds are housed in small, brown pods that appear where the flowers once were. These pods are about the size of a pencil eraser, and if you look closely, they resemble tiny skulls! It’s a fun little detail that always makes me smile when I’m out in the garden.
You need to wait until these pods are completely dry and brittle before collecting them. If they’re still green or squishy, they’re not ready. This is crucial because immature seeds are less likely to germinate, and excess moisture can lead to mold and rot during storage. Just like waiting for avocados to ripen, patience will reward you with viable seeds for future planting.
Collect the Seeds
On a dry day (moisture is your enemy here), gently pinch the dry seed pods between your fingers and let the seeds fall into a small container, plate, or paper towel. A light tap usually does the trick. You might get a few extra bits of plant material, but don’t worry – we’ll clean that up in the next step.
Clean the Seeds
Once you’ve gathered a decent amount of seeds, it’s time to clean them. Spread the collected seeds on a paper towel, plate, or small container. Carefully pick out any non-seed material. This part can be a bit tedious, but it’s a good opportunity to appreciate the tiny seeds you’re saving. They’re so small, it’s almost like working with black pepper flakes. For a faster method, you can use a fine mesh strainer. Gently shake the seeds in the strainer to separate them from the debris. This trick saved me tons of time once I discovered it!
Dry the Seeds
Even if your seeds seem dry, it’s a good idea to let them air out for a few more days. Spread them in a single layer on a paper towel or a piece of parchment paper in a cool, dry place. I usually leave mine out for about a week. Better safe than sorry!
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Store the Seeds
Proper storage is crucial to keep your seeds viable. In the seed-saving video (link below), plastic bags were used for this process. However, I’ve discovered a better way to preserve seeds. Paper bags or envelopes are ideal for both short-term and long-term storage as they allow any remaining moisture to escape, preventing mold.
For extra protection, you can transfer the dried seeds to airtight containers like glass jars for long-term storage.
Label the containers with the date and type of seed (you think you’ll remember, but trust me, you won’t).
Store them in a cool, dark place, such as the back of a closet, where the temperature stays fairly constant. Stored this way, snapdragon seeds can stay viable for up to three years.
Test the Seeds
Before planting season rolls around, it’s a good idea to test a few seeds to ensure they’re still viable. You can do this by placing a few seeds on a damp paper towel, folding it over, and sealing it in a plastic bag. Keep the bag in a warm spot and check for germination after about a week. This step has saved me from planting entire batches of duds more than once!
Practical Tips
- Timing is Crucial: Don’t rush the process. The seed pods need to be fully dry.
- Use Paper Bags or Envelopes for Storage: They help prevent mold by allowing moisture to escape. For extra protection, transfer to glass jars for long-term storage.
- Label Everything: Trust me, you won’t remember what seeds are in which container six months from now.
Managing Cross-Pollination
One thing to keep in mind is that snapdragons can cross-pollinate with other varieties in your garden. If you’re growing multiple types of snapdragons and want to maintain pure strains, it’s best to grow them some distance apart or use mesh bags to cover the flowers before they bloom. This prevents bees and other insects from mixing the pollen.
FAQs
It’s better to use paper bags or envelopes for storage as they allow any remaining moisture to escape, preventing mold. For long-term storage, you can transfer the seeds to airtight containers like glass jars.
Seed pods are ready when they’re dry, brown, and brittle. If they’re still green or squishy, give them more time to mature on the plant.
Poor germination can result from harvesting seeds too early or not drying them properly. Always ensure the pods are fully mature and the seeds are thoroughly dried before storing.
Snapdragon seeds should be sown indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost date in your area. They can be transplanted outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.
