Gerbera daisies (Gerbera jamesonii) are a species of flowering plants that are popular for their bright and vivid colors. These cheerful blooms can add life to any garden or indoor space. The best part is you can enjoy them even after the season has ended, by harvesting and storing the seeds for future planting!
When to Harvest Gerbera Daisies Seeds?
The best time to harvest gerbera daisy seeds is when the flowers have completely died and have turned brown or black. This usually happens in late summer or early autumn. Once the flower head has dried up, you can snip off the seed pod from the stem and set it aside for further processing.
How to Harvest Gerbera Daisie Seeds?
Harvesting gerbera daisy seed is a simple task. Once you have identified the dried flower head, simply snip it off with a pair of garden scissors and place it in an open container such as a paper bag or envelope. The seeds will then naturally fall into the container as you shake the flower head gently over the opening. You can then gather the seeds and spread them out on a paper towel to dry for a couple of days in a warm, dry location.
What do Gerbera Daisie Seeds Look Like?
Gerbera daisy seeds are very small and dark with a pointed end. They may be black, brown, or gray in color depending on the variety of gerbera daisies you are harvesting from.
Seed Preparation for Storage
Once the seeds are dry, it is time to prepare them for storage. First, sort through the seeds and remove any debris or damaged seed pods that may have been collected in the collection container. Next, use a pair of tweezers to gently break open each individual seed pod from the stem and discard the stem. Once all of the seed pods have been opened, place the seeds in an airtight container and label them according to the variety of gerbera daisy.
Terms of Seed Storage
To save gerbera daisy seeds, it is important to keep them in a cool, dry place with low humidity and no more than 40% relative humidity. To best preserve, the seed, store the container in a cool and dry place with temperatures between 32°F and 41°F (0°C and 5°C). The gerbera daisy seeds stored this way should remain viable for up to 7 – 8 months if stored properly.