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Seed Collecting - The Thrill of the Hunt
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Posted by Luvs2Plant z9 TX (My Page) on Sun, Aug 1, 04 at 15:58
| Being a gardener with grandiose visions but limited budget, I've had to resort to starting most of my plants from seeds. I have also learned to train myself to look for seedheads/pods while I'm travelling about.
I've had the best success finding seeds on public right-of-ways, sidewalks, back alleys and business parking lots. I take only 1 or 2 seedheads, never harming or defacing the parent plant.
When I get home, I coerce the pods into giving up their hidden treasures, planting them at that time or storing them to await proper germination time.
Sometimes I'm able to identify the plant, but not always. The anticipation of what the tiny embryo will produce is delightful to me. Sometimes the result is common, other times I'm rewarded with a plant I've lusted after for a long time. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Seed Collecting - The Thrill of the Hunt
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| I love to collect seeds! I usually have tags that say "unknown - vacant lot (location)" or something like that. When they grow and I can, I try to identify them. Isn't it fun? |
RE: Seed Collecting - The Thrill of the Hunt
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| I would love to grow more things from seed, but I have spotty luck with it. Plants that start easily by just plopping the seed in dirt? No problem. But I don't have growing lights (or even a sunny window) to help with less "friendly" plants. Any advice? Kristina |
RE: Seed Collecting - The Thrill of the Hunt
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Have you tried the seed exchange? Many people there will trade or send free seed for a self addressed stamped envelope. Another great forum to visit is the Winter Sowing forum. Kris, you will be able to plant your seeds without grow lights or sunny windows. Go over and read all about it. Last year was my first year to WS and I am hooked! It's the greatest. I have never had such good luck with my seeds nor had such sturdy plants as when I Winter Sowed them. Give it a try!
TrowelGal |
RE: Seed Collecting - The Thrill of the Hunt
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| I agree with Trowelgal, winter sowing is a great way to start seeds without extra equipment & produces good results. I've traded on the Seed Exchange for a couple of years, which is how I got hooked on hunting for seeds. I've even managed to get my DH 'trained' to be on the lookout....he brought home seedpods of white orchid tree (bauhinia) he found in the parking lot of an auto parts store! Now you've just gotta love a man like that. And, of course, you can't get much more frugal than free :) |
RE: Seed Collecting - The Thrill of the Hunt
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Free is my favorite price too. What I don't spend on seed I can spend on Miracle Gro. I save all the envelopes from junk mail and put them in the car or my purse. Wherever I go I am ready to collect seeds. This coming weekend I am going to visit my niece in SE Iowa. She just moved to a house with established perennial gardens. A gold mine! I am already excited about the "thrill of the hunt". Smile.
TrowelGal or Tina |
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