Bev,
Yes this is for the future but it won't take long as more people are doing this now. Semps are pretty quick to mature into something mature, especially if you push them like I do.
Greg, I see you are taking DETOURS off the I-5. That explains some of the driving adventures. Rural driving here can be an adventure! If the semps are all blooming then you are a little late with the bags unless you plan to use the last few blossoms in crosses. However, if the bees have been doing their thing you can grow a bunch of seedlings from the bee set seed. Pick out your most distinctive parents so you'll have the greatest chance of getting something good. Let these stalks finish flowering. When the seed heads feel dry and firm, move the stalks to paper bags to finish drying. I leave mine in the music room until they are crispy. Then I crush the stalk in the bag and decant the seed from the bag. Store the seed in glassine envelopes in the crisper portion of the refrigerator and plant outside in late February in pots in sterile potting mix. Fame is assured... NOT! However, you will have some fun things and lots to share with those who just want plants.
Just to get you excited about next spring, there are several very YELLOW semps in the patch. Some have red bases, some tinged purple. Think those could be exciting. Best yet they seem to be growing as well as the green ones!
Kevin
