How to Save Calendula Seeds: A Gardener’s Guide
Saving calendula seeds is straightforward and rewarding. In essence, you allow the flowers to fully mature and dry on the plant, then carefully harvest the seeds contained within the dried flower heads, storing them in a cool, dry, and dark place until planting.
Understanding Calendula and Seed Saving
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a delightful and versatile annual flower, cherished for its vibrant colors, medicinal properties, and ease of cultivation. Saving its seeds is a sustainable practice that allows you to maintain your favorite varieties year after year, creating a self-sufficient garden. Furthermore, seed saving empowers you to adapt calendula strains to your specific climate and soil conditions over time.
Why Save Calendula Seeds? Benefits Abound
Saving seeds offers numerous advantages:
- Cost Savings: Eliminate the need to purchase new seeds each year.
- Variety Preservation: Maintain your favorite cultivars, which may be difficult to find commercially.
- Adaptation: Over time, your saved seeds will adapt to your local climate and soil, resulting in stronger and more resilient plants.
- Sustainability: Promotes biodiversity and reduces reliance on commercial seed suppliers.
- Connection to Nature: Provides a rewarding connection to the plant life cycle.
The Calendula Seed Saving Process: Step-by-Step
Here’s a detailed guide to saving your own calendula seeds:
- Identify Healthy Plants: Select plants that are vigorous, disease-free, and exhibit the desired traits (flower color, size, etc.). These will be your “seed mothers.”
- Allow Flowers to Mature: Let the flower heads dry completely on the plant. This is crucial. The petals will turn brown and crisp. This usually takes 2-3 weeks after the flower has finished blooming.
- Harvest the Seed Heads: Once the flower heads are completely dry and brittle, carefully cut them off the stem using pruning shears or scissors. It is better to harvest on a dry day to avoid any residual moisture.
- Separate the Seeds: Calendula seeds are crescent-shaped and spiky. Gently rub the dried flower heads between your fingers or in a mesh bag to release the seeds. Be careful – the spikes can be prickly!
- Clean the Seeds: Remove any remaining chaff (petals, stems, etc.) from the seeds. You can use a screen or winnowing technique (gently blowing away the lighter chaff) to accomplish this.
- Dry the Seeds Further: Spread the cleaned seeds on a paper towel in a cool, dry place for another week to ensure they are completely dry.
- Store the Seeds Properly: Place the dried seeds in an airtight container (glass jar or paper envelope) and label it with the date and variety. Store the container in a cool, dark, and dry location. A refrigerator or freezer can extend seed viability, but make sure the seeds are bone dry before storing in the freezer.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Harvesting Too Early: The most common mistake is harvesting seeds before the flower head is completely dry. Immature seeds will not germinate.
- Insufficient Drying: Failing to properly dry the seeds before storage can lead to mold and reduced viability.
- Improper Storage: Storing seeds in a warm, humid environment will shorten their lifespan.
- Selecting Weak Plants: Always choose seeds from the healthiest and most vigorous plants to ensure good quality seeds.
- Ignoring Labeling: Forgetting to label the seeds with the variety and date will make it difficult to track their age and characteristics.
Calendula Seed Viability: What to Expect
Calendula seeds typically remain viable for 3-5 years when stored properly. Germination rates may decline over time, but you can usually still obtain a good crop from older seeds. To test seed viability, sow a small batch of seeds indoors a few weeks before your planned planting date.
| Storage Condition | Estimated Viability |
|---|---|
| Cool, Dry, Dark | 3-5 years |
| Room Temperature | 2-3 years |
| Warm, Humid | 1 year or less |
Calendula Cross-Pollination: What to Consider
While calendula is generally self-pollinating, cross-pollination can occur between different varieties planted nearby. If you are saving seeds from multiple calendula varieties, consider isolating them by a distance of at least 10-20 feet to prevent unwanted hybridization. The distance depends on the pollinator activity in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I know when the flower heads are dry enough to harvest?
The flower heads should be completely brown and brittle, and the petals should crumble easily when touched. The seeds themselves should be hard and dry. If there’s any sign of moisture, they’re not ready.
Can I save seeds from hybrid calendula varieties?
While you can technically save seeds from hybrid calendula varieties, the resulting plants may not be true to type. That is, they might not look or perform exactly like the parent plant. This is because hybrids are bred for specific traits that may not be stable in subsequent generations.
What if it rains while the flower heads are drying?
If it rains, bring the entire plant or cut stems indoors and hang them upside down in a dry, well-ventilated area. This will allow the flower heads to dry without rotting.
How do I clean the seeds effectively?
A simple winnowing technique works well. Pour the seeds and chaff from one container to another in a gentle breeze. The lighter chaff will blow away, leaving the heavier seeds behind. You can also use a fine-mesh sieve.
What is the best container for storing calendula seeds?
A glass jar with a tight-fitting lid or a paper envelope are both excellent choices. Make sure the container is airtight to prevent moisture from entering. Avoid plastic bags, as they can trap moisture.
Can I store calendula seeds in the freezer?
Yes, freezing can extend the lifespan of your calendula seeds, but it’s crucial that they are absolutely bone dry before freezing. Otherwise, ice crystals can damage the seeds.
How long will calendula seeds remain viable?
Calendula seeds typically remain viable for 3-5 years when stored properly in a cool, dry, and dark place.
What is the ideal temperature for storing calendula seeds?
The ideal storage temperature for calendula seeds is between 32°F and 41°F (0°C and 5°C). This is why a refrigerator is a good option.
Can I save seeds from diseased plants?
It’s generally not recommended to save seeds from diseased plants, as the disease can be transmitted to future generations.
How can I improve the germination rate of my saved seeds?
Soaking the seeds in water for 24 hours before planting can help improve germination rates, especially for older seeds.
Do I need to ferment calendula seeds before storing them?
Fermentation is not necessary for calendula seeds. It’s more commonly used for fleshy fruits like tomatoes and cucumbers to remove the gelatinous coating around the seeds.
How do I know if my saved seeds are still good?
The best way to test seed viability is to conduct a germination test. Sow a small sample of seeds indoors and observe the germination rate. If a good percentage of the seeds sprout, they are still viable.