From my perspective as a Cornflower, my entire existence builds toward one magnificent purpose: creating the next generation. My vibrant blue petals are not just for your admiration; they are a beacon for bees and butterflies, essential partners in this journey. After successful pollination, the real magic begins. The base of each flower, the ovary, begins to swell and mature. The brilliant blue petals will wither and fall away, their job complete. What remains is the seed head, a small, dry capsule that was once the heart of my flower. Inside this protective vessel, my seeds are developing, drawing energy and nutrients from the rest of the plant until they are plump and mature.
Patience is absolutely critical. You must wait until I signal that my seeds are ready. Do not rush this process. The perfect time for harvest is when the seed head has turned a dry, pale brown or straw color and feels crisp to the touch. The seeds themselves will be a dark, sleek brown, often with a faint, fluffy white pappus (a tiny parachute) attached to one end. If the seed head is still green or soft, the seeds are not viable; they are still drawing life from me. A good test is to gently shake the stem. If you hear a faint, dry rattle, that is the sound of my future children ready to be collected.
To collect my seeds, you must be gentle and precise. On a dry, sunny afternoon, use a pair of sharp, clean scissors or pruners. Hold the stem firmly below the seed head and make a clean cut. I recommend placing a small paper bag or envelope beneath the seed head as you snip to catch any seeds that might dislodge. You can collect individual seed heads or, if most on a stem are ready, cut the entire stem a few inches below the lowest head. Please avoid using plastic bags, as they can trap moisture and cause my precious seeds to mold, ruining them before they even have a chance to sleep.
Once inside, the drying process must be finished. Lay the seed heads in a single layer on a fine screen, a paper plate, or in your open paper bag. Place them in a warm, dry, and well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight for at least one to two weeks. This ensures any residual moisture deep within the seed is gone. When they are completely crisp-dry, it is time for extraction. Gently crush the seed heads between your fingers over a white plate or bowl. The seeds, along with some chaff (the dry plant debris), will separate out. You can then carefully blow the lighter chaff away, leaving behind my clean, dark seeds.
To preserve my vitality, you must store my seeds correctly. I need a cool, dark, and dry environment to remain dormant until you are ready to plant me again. Place the completely dry seeds in a small paper envelope or a glass jar. If using a jar, please do not seal it tightly for the first few days to allow any last traces of moisture to escape. Then, you can close it. Most importantly, label the container with my name 'Cornflower' and the date of collection. Keep my container in a cool, dark place like a pantry or a refrigerator. Stored this way, my seeds can remain viable for several years, waiting patiently for the spring sun to wake them.
