Pulsatilla

[David Nicholson]

I have a few shades of Pulsatilla vulgaris in the garden and I would like to collect seed from them. How shall I know when the seed is ripe please, and do I sow the fluffy white bits as well?

[mark smyth]

David it's when the seeds fall off when touched gently. Plant the whole thing. As far as I know the tail bores the seed into the ground

[David Nicholson]

Thanks Mark. It's likely to be mid to late Summer then?

[Olga Bondareva]

David
Mark is absolutely right saying when.  At the beginning of summer in your climate I think.

I sow Pulsatilla seed at surface and do not cover by soil just press them. And cut tails. Seed germinate well at sunny hot place. But not quickly. Be ready to wait 2-3 weeks. It depends on ripeness of seed and weather.


http://photofile.ru/users/olga_bond/1332874/46632577/#mainImageLink

[Thomas Huber]

David, I pack the seed pod in tea bags. So you can be sure, that they
will not be lost when you forget to have a look at them!

[David Nicholson]

Olga and Thomas, thank you both very much for your advice.

[Lesley Cox]

I agree with cutting off the tails. I do it now for all pulsatillas and all clematis and get excellent germination on both. The tail left on far from boring the seed into the ground, seems to left it up. It is a mechanism for distribution by wind after all. I sow the seeds only and cover with grit same as for everything else. Slightly green seed is better than fully ripe seed in my opinion.

I'm sure the the seed exchange directors would prefer these seeds trimmed too, rather than fluffing all over the place.!

[David Nicholson]

Thanks for that Lesley