here's what tom clothier says---Dicentra cucullaria, eximia, formosa, peregrina, and spectabilis , Sow at 18-22�C (64-71�F) for 2-4 wks, move to -4 to +4�C (24-39�F) for 4-6 wks, move to 5-12�C (41-53�F) for germination , short viable seed - sow immediately after harvest

I asked about this on the seed saving forum. Flora-uk responded and said to sow immediately after harvest.

I also walk my gardens every morning. Though I have a cup of coffee in my hands. I have little tulle bags around my dicentra seed pods. I keep looking every morning to see if the pods have popped. I bought the dicentra valentine this year and it has gorgeous seed pods on it. I also have a white bleeding heart and a regular pink bleeding heart that I am attempting to collect seeds from.

Here is a link that might be useful: Seed saving forum response

Nancy, I think sowing by early fall at latest is recommended, they are said to not do well dried and stored.

What I do: keep a prepared pot, labeled, on my deck and when I find seeds of spectabilis or climbing scandens, I walk back to my deck with them in my hand and sow them. I sow in little rows like a tiny corn field so I know where I've left off - Heaven help the person who ever turns my pot. :)

That's the only way I've ever achieved germination with the climbing bleeding heart. Seedlings from both don't usually appear until late winter in my cool Z8.

Thanks everyone. I will sow them in a pot tomorrow but not expect to see seedlings till next Spring. I am going to put a piece of nylon stocking over the rest of the seed pods and see if I an get some more to increase my chances of actually getting seedlings.

Should I use a milk jug? Or just an open (no top) pot?

Nan, our climates are different, very little summer heat here, but I use a regular pot and top with grit when I've sown all I'm going to add. I keep in the same area of my deck with pots holding plants so it never goes many days without watering, its easier for me to water same time I'm taking care of the other things that way...Your set up may be different.

I have several bleeding hearts of different varieties and colours. This year for the first time, I have pulled dozens of seedlings so perhaps sowing right after ripening is the best method. I think I have not seen them before because that part of the garden has been overgrown with Hostas which I divided this year. Now I can see the earth.

I must have gotten lucky. I harvested 5 seeds from my White Bleeding Heart , sowed them on solstice and all 5 sprouted and are growing well.