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jpw_chi

When to Harvest Rose Hips? How long to wait?

jpw_chi
16 years ago

I've been trying (unsuccessfully) for years to try to grow roses from seed. My most recent theory was that I wasn't letting the hips stay on the rose bushes long enough, so I cut out deadheading all summer. If nothing else, it was a good way to rationalize laziness.

So it's September, and we've already hit 40 or below once, but all the hips are still green. I harvested some, but I suspect that they're not mature enough.

When do I harvest? Do the hips always change to red/orange/yellow, or do some stay green? What's the coldest it can get before the seeds get killed by cold?

And, as a bonus question, what's a permissible range for chill period in the fridge for the seeds, shortest and longest?

Thanks.

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