How to get the seeds from Hollyhocks?

[gardeningmom]

I have a hollyhock plant that someone gave me and it is now blooming. Do I just let the flowers die on the stem and then collect the seeds? How long do I leave the dead flower there? - How do I know when the seeds are ready? And finally should I throw them in the ground now or wait until...when?

[dsanthony]

This is the first year my hollyhocks bloomed. I have another question, after they flower, are they done for the year? Mine got huge, probably 7 ft tall, had beautiful dk purple blooms, but now the leaves are falling off and they're done flowering. Do I cut them to the ground? Will they flower again this year?

[angmf2233]

they only flower once then their done for the year. I let mine die and you will see brown round seed pods. Wait till most flowers are done blooming and seed pods will look dry and brown, you should get lots of seeds.Then pick the whole round pod off and inside there will be lots of almost black colored seeds.I throw mine around anytime, but I think you should seed in the fall or very early spring. Also I have seen where you should barely cover the seed. You can cut the stalk down when your all done. The plant should start growing in the spring all over again! What colors do you all have? I'll trade ya if you have other colors than I do?

[dsanthony]

Mine are just the dark purple, almost black looking. My sister in law gave me one, but it didn't bloom this year. I have no idea what color that will be.

[gardeningmom]

I have a single white and a fuschia one that has a double flower like a carnation. ZuZu gave me some seeds in the spring but they are slow growing so I don't remember what color they were. I guess I will be surprised next year.

[dsanthony]

I'd definatly be interested in trading seeds, if you'd like. mine are just getting the big pods, so they should be ready to seed soon.

[ok_nurse]

Angie was gracious to send some of her seeds to the seed drawing-if you get some dark purple ones (I think Angie has white black and pink) send some into the drawing so others can try them too! They are a great flower!

Angie-I had to tell you that the black eyed susan plants you sent me are blooming so nice. I really like them-thank you.
-Donna

[dsanthony]

I tried to find the plant and seed exchange, but couldn't. Can you tell me where to go? I have so many seeds, I'd love to share some.

[dsanthony]

Oh, and one more thing. I checked one of the pods yesterday. Do the seeds look like small 'c's'? I'm pretty sure they're the seeds, but wanted to check before I sent any. Thanks!!

[zuzu's petals]

I tried to find the plant and seed exchange, but couldn't. Can you tell me where to go? I have so many seeds, I'd love to share some.

The Plant and Seed Exchange part of our Forums is here:
http://www.plantswap.net/forum/f19/
It's the spot to open a thread offering your seeds for swap,
and to see what others have listed for trade, too.

And the thread "August Seed Drawing" is there:
August seed Drawing
You might want to put some of your surplus seed into the drawing
and be entered to be a lucky winner!

[dsanthony]

Thanks, so much!!! I'll definatly be getting some seeds together!! What do you store them in to mail?

[zuzu's petals]

What do you store them in to mail?

Most often I use paper packets, that I cut out and tape up into a sort of tiny envelope.
Some of our members shared some cute, printable ones here:
Printable Seed Packet Designs
They are great, because you can easily put all necessary info right on the packs,
Variety, color, growing conditions, when you collected the seed, etc.

In the case of seeds that are VERY dry, I sometimes keep them in small, plastic zip-top bags,
but if there is any moisture in the seed, it will cause the seeds to get moldy in plastic, so be careful of that.

Either way, when I mail them, I use a bubble envelope,
OR I fold the seed packs in a layer of bubble wrap before putting them in a regular envelope.
This does mean that shipping will cost more than a regular postage stamp,
because the envelope will be too thick to go through the PO machinery,
but that's a good thing, cuz it keeps the seeds from being smooshed.