Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 6:21 pm (GMT 0)
Hi Jacquelyn, seeds are found where the plant produces a flower. This will not change from plant to plant, it is a given. However, not all seeds are formed the same way. Some are encapsulated in flesh, such as apples, pomegranates, pumpkins, watermelon, etc. Some are encapsulated in a hard shell, such as flower seeds like petunias, ageratum, sunflowers, etc.
Jacquelyn, here is a little tutorial for gathering seeds.
I have petunias, so I can give you some help with my own pictures.
petunias, side view ( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden )
I put a leaf behind it so you can see the base of the flower. At the base is a set of green "petals" called sepals, inside this is where the reproduction of the plant takes place. You can see the rounded part of the stem, that is called the ovules/ovary. the female part of the flower.
After the pollen from the stamen/anthers touches the stigma part of the flower, pollination has occurred, beginning the reproduction process of the seed cycle.
spent flower ( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden )
Pollination has occurred and now there is no need for the flower petals to attract any more insects to transfer pollen to the stigma.
seed capsule ( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden )
Pollination has occurred and the seed making process has begun.
mature seed capsule ( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden )
The seeds are now mature and ready to begin the cycle again.
this is the basic seed making cycle of the petunia. You, of course, need to pick the seed capsule off of the plant before it bursts open dropping the seeds all over the ground
opened seed capsule, seeds all over the plant ( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden )
When the seed capsule turns brown and dry looking, is when you need to pick or snip the seed capsule off the plant. Put it in a paper envelope, label the envelope with the kind, size of the plant, (this way you will know what to expect and how far apart to plant them after you get them started), the color of the flower and when you harvested the seeds.
Most likely the other flowers you are asking about will be the same general principal for gathering the seeds. good luck and I hope this helps you.
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