Homegrown: Seed Saving

Following are easy-to-use tips about seed-saving and taking plant cuttings by Lisa Slattery, Linn County Master Gardener at Iowa State University Extension:

One of the great things about gardening is the thrill and satisfaction of growing your very own plants. Granted each Spring area garden centers are full of flats of lovely blooms plant at home, but there's something special about growing a plant from a seed or cutting.  It's also rewarding to keep your favorite plants growing from year to year.    

When collecting seeds keep in mind than not all seeds will produce plants exactly like the parent plant.  Only heirloom or self-pollinating plants will produce plants the same. Seeds from hybridized plants won't necessarily grow the same as the parent since these plants are a mixture of various characteristics. Take cuttings from hybridized plants.  Some self-pollinated plants include beans, lettuce, peas, nasturtium, sweet peas and zinnias.  Only collect mature seeds.  When the seed pods have dried on the plant they are mature.  Many seed pods will open and disperse on their own before you get to them so you can place a small bag over the seed head to catch the seeds or pull the plant before completely drying and store upside down in a paper bag to catch the seeds.  Seeds are also commonly surrounded by chaff or nonviable seeds.  I call it the extra, fluffy, brown protective coating.  Remove as much of this as possible by gently rubbing the seeds to break up the chaff and removing it from the seeds.

It's best to use seeds the following year for top yield.  Place completely dry seeds in paper envelopes and don't forget to label them! Store the envelopes in an air tight container like a large canning jar and keep in a cool, dark place.   

Taking plant cuttings instead of saving seeds is also an excellent option.  Some plants are better suited to cuttings. To make a cutting locate a stem on the parent plant with nodes on it - a node  is where a leaf is attached.  Select one from green, healthy growth near the tips.  Using scissors or razor blade sterilized in alcohol, cut the stem just below the node.  Lay the cutting on a flat surface and cut into the node, which is where new roots will form.  Keep a few leaves but remove the rest - too many leaves and your cutting will get zapped of energy.  Fill clean pots with moist soilless potting mixture.  Poke a planting hole in the soil with a pencil, which helps to keep the rooting hormone on the end of the cutting.  Rooting hormone stimulates the plant cutting to grow new roots.  You can find it at any good garden center.  Even though some plants like coleus will easily root in water, the hormone gives the cutting a better chance to root.  Dip your cutting in water, then in the rooting hormone and carefully place your cutting into its hole. Firm the soil around the cuttings and place a plastic bag (like a sandwich bag) over the pot but don't completely seal the bag.  Put the covered pots in a warm spot but avoid hot direct sun until new growth appears.  Check regularly for needed moisture (and water only from the bottom).  If any cuttings rot remove them. Check for roots by gently tugging on the cuttings for resistance. Once roots have developed you can move the plants from the small covered container to pots of their own.  

Have fun and experiment with your favorite plants.  Last year I successfully saved zinnia seeds and propagated lots of coleus and passion plants - which I gave for Christmas gifts. This year I'm going to experiment with basil cuttings which will also easily root in water!