How to Collect Bleeding Heart Seeds: A Step-by-Step Guide for Gardeners

With their graceful, dangling blooms, bleeding heart plants (Dicentra spectabilis) are treasured additions to cottage gardens and woodland settings Collecting their seeds is an easy way to propagate new plants Follow this simple guide to successfully harvest and store bleeding heart seeds.

Overview of Bleeding Heart Seed Harvesting

Bleeding heart seeds form inside pods that emerge after the plants finish flowering in late spring or early summer. Here are some key points about collecting the seeds:

• Wait for seed pods to fully ripen and dry out before harvesting

• Collect pods when they turn brown and start splitting open

• Remove seeds from pods and spread out to dry for a few days

• Store dried seeds in a cool, dry place in an airtight container

• Sow seeds the following spring for new bleeding heart seedlings

Proper timing, careful harvesting, and attentive seed storage are important steps for the best results. With a little practice, you’ll be harvesting your own bleeding heart seeds each season.

When to Harvest Bleeding Heart Seeds

Bleeding heart seeds can be collected once the seed pods are completely mature. This typically occurs in mid to late summer. Here are signs the seeds are ready for harvesting:

• Seed pods turn from green to light brown
• Pods begin splitting open and exposing seeds
• Seeds appear plump and black when pods split
• Plants start going dormant as blooms fade

Seed pods ripen about 6-10 weeks after flowering ends. Monitor the pods and look for these visual cues before harvesting. Collecting too early reduces seed viability.

How to Remove and Collect Bleeding Heart Seeds

Once pods start naturally opening, it’s time to begin collecting the seeds. Follow these steps:

• Identify dried, split-open pods on plants

• Use pruners to snip off pods as close to the stem as possible

• Place pods in a labeled paper bag or envelope

• When indoors, rub pods between fingers over a bowl to release seeds

• Alternatively, gently pry open pods using fingers or tweezers

• Transfer intact seeds to an airtight container, labeling with plant name and date

Avoid pulling seed pods off forcefully, as this can damage the plant. Snipping them neatly preserves the plants for re-blooming next year.

Drying and Storing Bleeding Heart Seeds

Before storage, the seeds must be thoroughly dried. Follow these tips:

• Spread seeds in a single layer on coffee filters or paper towels

• Place in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight

• Allow 1-2 weeks for seeds to dry fully, turning occasionally

• Seeds will turn dark brown or black when completely dry

• Transfer dried seeds to labeled envelopes or jars for storage

• Store in a cool, dry place like a refrigerator

• Use within 1-2 years for best germination rates

Proper drying and storage keeps seeds viable for sowing the following season. Refrigerated seeds can potentially last for several years.

Choosing the Best Bleeding Heart Seed Pods

When collecting seeds, look for the healthiest seed pods on your bleeding heart plants:

• Seek out undamaged, disease-free pods

• Select the first set of pods that form, as they contain the most vigorous seeds

• Prioritize pods on established, multi-year plants over younger specimens

• For heirloom or hybrid varieties, collect only from correctly labeled plants

• Leave some pods intact on the plants to self-sow for future volunteers

Focusing on robust seed pods from mature plants can boost your chances of success. But even seeds from younger plants can yield nice results.

Germinating and Growing Bleeding Heart Seeds

Bleeding heart seeds require stratification—exposure to cold, moist conditions—to break dormancy and trigger germination. Here are some tips:

• In late winter, sow seeds indoors in containers and place in refrigerator for 4-6 weeks

• Move to a sunny spot at 65-70°F and maintain even moisture after stratifying

• Seeds should sprout within 4-6 weeks

• Transplant seedlings outside after last spring frost once they develop 2-4 true leaves

• Space plants 1-2 feet apart in partial shade or dappled sunlight

With proper care, bleeding heart seeds produce flowering plants within 2-3 years. Collecting your own seeds perpetuates beloved bleeding hearts around your garden.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bleeding Heart Seeds

Here are answers to some common questions about harvesting and storing bleeding heart seeds:

How long do bleeding heart seeds last? Stored properly in cool, dry conditions, bleeding heart seeds remain viable for 1-3 years. Refrigeration extends longevity.

How do you know when to harvest seeds? Monitor seed pods and collect them as soon as they begin naturally splitting open, before seeds spill out.

Can you collect seeds from bleeding hearts each year? Yes, established bleeding heart plants can be a great annual source of seeds for propagation.

What’s the best way to sow bleeding heart seeds? Start seeds indoors in late winter. Stratify in the refrigerator for 4-6 weeks before moving to a warm, sunny spot to germinate.

How many seeds does each pod contain? Mature bleeding heart seed pods typically contain 10-20 seeds each. But this can vary based on growing conditions and plant vigor.

Enjoy an Abundance of Bleeding Hearts

With simple harvesting techniques and proper care, it’s easy to collect viable bleeding heart seeds from your own plants. Get a head start on next year’s garden by sprouting bleeding heart seedlings from this season’s seeds. Just remember to label each set of seeds by plant and year for future reference. Soon you’ll have bleeding hearts to share with gardening friends and family!