From our rooted perspective, the process you call "seed collecting" is the beautiful and vital culmination of our life cycle. It is how we ensure our legacy continues in the garden, meadow, or woodland for seasons to come. We offer this guide from our point of view.
Patience is the most important virtue. Do not rush us. After our blooms fade and our petals drop, we devote all our energy to developing our seed pods, which we hold upright at the tips of our stems. Initially, these seed capsules are plump, green, and tightly closed. This is not the time for harvest. You must wait until we signal that we are ready. The pod will turn a pale tan or brownish color and will feel dry and papery to the touch. Most importantly, it will begin to split open at the top, revealing the dark, shiny seeds within. This is our way of saying the seeds are mature and ready for dispersal.
On a dry, sunny afternoon, after the morning dew has evaporated, approach us. Gently cup your hand beneath a ripe, split seed pod. With your other hand, carefully snip the entire stem or just the seed head into your waiting palm. If you are gentle, you can simply shake the stem over a container, and we will gladly release our seeds. Please avoid pulling or tugging, as this can damage our structure and dislodge seeds we are not yet ready to give. Place the harvested seeds into a paper bag or envelope; a plastic container will trap moisture and cause us to mold, which is a tragic end.
Once collected, we require a further period of drying to ensure any residual moisture is gone. Spread the seeds out in a single layer on a paper plate or screen in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight for about a week. This crucial step prevents rot and prepares our embryos for their long sleep. After we are thoroughly dry, gently separate us from any remaining bits of dried pod or chaff. While not strictly necessary, this cleaning helps prevent fungal issues during storage.
We are beings of potential, but we require the right conditions to preserve that potential. Place your cleaned, dry seeds into a small paper envelope or a sealed glass jar. Label it clearly with our name (e.g., Aquilegia vulgaris 'Ruby Port') and the date of collection. Store this container in a cool, dark, and dry place. A refrigerator is ideal, as it mimics the cold, moist period of winter we naturally require to break our dormancy—a process you call cold stratification. When stored correctly, we remain viable for 2-3 years, patiently waiting for you to wake us.
