Quick Overview
Cosmos plants , with their vivacious blooms and daisy - like visual aspect , are a beloved accession to gardens worldwide . If you ’re keen on spread these cheerful flowers , harvesting their seeds is a rewarding endeavor . Thiscomprehensive guidewill walk you through the inch and out of how toharvest cosmos plant seeds , ensuring a successful germ - saving experience .
When to Harvest Cosmos Seeds
The optimum time toharvest cosmos seedsis when theflower heads have begun to dry andturn brown . The germ within the flower head will be ripe and ready to pick up . Typically , this occurs around 6 - 8 workweek after the flowers have bloomed .
Materials You’ll Need
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Identify Mature Flower Heads
scrutinise your cosmos plant forflower headsthat haveturned brownand dry . These head word will have lost most of their flower petal and thecentral conewill be large .
2. Cut the Flower Heads
Usingsharp scissorsor pruners , carefully cutthe mature efflorescence heads from the works . deflect edit too close to the stem , as you may damage the semen .
3. Remove the Seeds
Gently draw out thedried flower headapart and shake out the semen onto a piece of paper . The ejaculate are small and dark , resemble pepper .
4. Clean the Seeds
If the come are covered in debris or chaff , gently blowor sweep them off . This will help take out any impurities and see the cum are viable .
5. Dry the Seeds
unfold the cum on apaper bagor envelope and place them in a warm , ironic location . take into account the germ to dry for 2 - 3 weeks , turning them occasionally to prevent wet buildup .
6. Store the Seeds
Once the semen arecompletely dry , store them in a cool , non-white place . Paper gasbag orairtight containersare saint for seed storage . Label the containers with the date of harvest and the smorgasbord of cosmos .
Additional Tips
When to Sow Cosmos Seeds
Cosmos seeds can besown now outdoorsin the spring after the last hoar . Alternatively , they can be started indoors 6 - 8 workweek before the last frost day of the month .
Growing Cosmos from Seeds
grow cosmea from seeds is comparatively wanton . Sow the seeds in well - drained soil and keep them moist . Cosmos plant prefer full sunshine to partial shade and require minimal care .
Basics You Wanted To Know
Q : How long docosmos seedslast?A : Cosmos seedscan last for up to a year when stored in a coolheaded , dark plaza . Q : Can Isave seedsfrom hybrid cosmos plants?A : No , hybrid cosmos plants produce sterile seedsthat will notgrow trueto case . Q : How many seeds does a cosmos heyday head produce?A : Asingle cosmos flower headcan produce up to 100 seeds . Q : Can Iharvest cosmos seedsin the fall?A : Yes , but it ’s good to reap source in thelate summerorearly declination , when the flower heads are amply mature . Q : How do I know ifcosmos seedsare viable?A : workable cosmos seedsare firm and dark in color . If the seminal fluid are soft or moldy , they are not viable .
