| Do I wait for pansy heads to dry up before I look for seeds? Also where are the seeds located, and how long do I let the dry out before I can store them for next Spring planting? |
| After the petals fall from pansy flowers, you'll see a swollen green pod. As the seeds mature the pod will turn a tan color. When the seeds are fully mature, the pod will open, like petals of a flower, and the seeds will spill out. If you want to harvest the pods to save the seeds, do so before they open. If you place them in an envelope, the pods will continue to open when the seeds are mature and you'll have a collection of dark tan to brown seeds in the bottom of the envelope. Don't save any green or really light colored seeds - they're not mature enough. If you decide to save the seeds, allow them to dry thoroughly - 3-4 weeks should do it - and then put them in an air tight container and store them in a cool, dark location, like a closet. Pansies are cool-season plants that bloom best in late winter and early spring, so plant your seeds in the fall so the plants will be ready to bloom in the cool weather. |
