This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Re: Harvesting Monarda Seeds

Coreen wrote: 
> I have a couple of monarda plants in bloom right now and would like to know when to harvest the seeds. Plus, are the seeds in the little beehive-like pod where the flower petals dropped from?

Coreen,
Yes, collecting seeds from the round center of the Monarda is correct. 
In the past seed head have been collected after petals have withered,
rubber banded together, hung from a rod with either a paper bag over
them or a plastic container underneath to catch seeds.  Either method
works well as long as the area is dry so not to promote mildew.  Seeds
matured in this matter will be viable the following year.

Harvesting the heads when they are dry, to keep the bed clean looking;
they tilling/scratching areas where new plants seedlings will be grown
and either rubbing balls to disburse seeds or placing head on ground
will provide a nice naturalizing effect. Plenty of seedlings next year
but not as many as a controlled seed distribution.

The other alternative is to let Mother Nature take her way and share
with the birds this winter.  Finches and other light birds will hover or
lightly land on seed heads to feast during the winter months.

The last method would be cuttings and a form of propagation.  I have not
tried this in previous years, but am doing so this year as a
learning/new experience experiment.

I have tried all methods and they have been satisfactory to me. 

Good luck and enjoy any/all methods you try.  Having a blooming good
time this fall . . Linda Hill gardening in Zone 5 Northeastern Ohio

"Flowers are beauty to the eye and tranquility to the soul."


MZ
References:
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index