I want to collect seeds from my Phlox paniculata Nora Leigh. But Im not sure what to collect and store. There is a buff colored roundish capsule that can be cracked to release a single black oblong seed. How do I plant it? Should I leave the buff capsule in place or break it open and save only the black seed inside?
Phlox are a beloved flower that bloom in a variety of bright, cheery colors. Their five-petaled flowers cluster into showy bundles called panicles, lighting up gardens and floral arrangements all summer long.
While phlox are commonly grown from nursery starts, many gardeners opt to propagate these flowers from seeds. Phlox seeds allow you to grow new, genetically unique plants for free. Plus, phlox seedlings transplant readily and begin blooming their first year.
But what exactly do phlox seeds look like? In this article, we’ll explore the appearance, harvesting, and planting of phlox seeds. Read on to learn how to identify these popular flower seeds.
What Do Phlox Seeds Look Like?
Phlox seeds are quite small and inconspicuous They measure just 1-2 millimeters long. Their shape is oval to teardrop-like Phlox seeds are flattened and somewhat irregular.
Their surface is pitted and they have a rough grainy texture. The seeds are initially pale green but turn dark brown as they mature. You may notice a tiny cream-colored structure on one end of the seed. This is the remnants of the seed’s attachment to the inner ovary wall.
Phlox seeds are contained within a small, dry pod that turns brown and brittle when ripe. Each phlox flower produces just one seed pod behind its petals. The pod splits open when mature to release the tiny seeds.
- Size: 1-2 mm long
- Shape: Oval to teardrop-shaped
- Color: Initially pale green, ripening to dark brown
- Texture: Pitted and rough
- Contained in a small, dry, brown seed pod
This seed description applies to all types of phlox including tall garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) creeping phlox (P. subulata), and annual phlox or Drummond’s phlox (P. drummondii).
Now that you know what to look for, let’s explore when and how to harvest phlox seeds from your garden.
When and How to Harvest Phlox Seeds
Phlox seeds can be harvested from spent flowers once they finish blooming in mid to late summer. Here are some tips for collecting ripe phlox seeds:
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Allow flowers to fade completely on the plant. Do not deadhead.
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Watch for seed pods to form behind wilted petals. Leave seed pods on the plant until they turn yellowish-brown and become dry and brittle.
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Collect seed pods as soon as they are fully dry. If left too long, pods may crack open and scatter seeds.
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Snip off pods individually with pruners or small scissors. Drop pods into a paper bag or envelope.
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Spread pods out to finish drying for 1-2 weeks. Crumble pods to remove seeds.
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Discard pod debris and store cleaned, dry seeds in envelopes or jars. Label with plant name and color.
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Viola! You now have a supply of phlox seeds to plant next growing season.
Proper seed harvesting and storage is key to ensuring viability. Always allow seeds to fully mature and dry on the plant before collecting. Promptly dry and store harvested seeds in a cool, dark place.
Phlox seeds remain viable for 2-3 years when stored properly. Now let’s look at how to plant them.
How to Plant Phlox Seeds
Phlox seeds can be directly sown outdoors or started indoors. Here are some tips for success:
Direct sowing:
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Prepare seed beds in full sun with rich, well-drained soil.
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Sow seeds early in the growing season as soon as soil can be worked.
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Sprinkle seeds on soil surface and lightly cover with 1/4 inch of fine soil or compost.
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Water gently and keep seed beds continuously moist until germination.
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Thin seedlings 8-12” apart.
Starting indoors:
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Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last spring frost.
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Use sterile seed starting mix and containers with drainage holes.
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Sow seeds just below soil surface. Cover lightly with vermiculite.
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Keep soil evenly moist and provide plenty of light.
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Harden off and transplant outdoors after all danger of frost.
Care:
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Water phlox plants regularly during first growing season.
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Apply general purpose fertilizer once or twice during summer.
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Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
With proper harvesting, storage, and planting, it’s easy to grow phlox from home-collected seeds. You’ll soon have plenty of these colorful, fragrant flowers to enjoy year after year.
So now you know exactly what phlox seeds look like, when to collect them, and how to plant them successfully. Happy growing!
What Do Phlox Seeds Look Like – A General View
FAQ
Can you grow phlox from seed?
Do phlox reseed themselves?
What does a Phlox seed pod look like?
A phlox seed pod is a round, welling flower-like pod that contains the seeds inside. The fat-looking pods contain the seeds, contrary to their thin appearance. The seed pods are few in each flower head, so the majority are not seed pods. The seeds, when dry, are brown in color and oval in shape.
What do keloids look like?
Keloids are raised, scar-like growths that form at the site of a wound or injury. They are more common in people with darker skin, and they can occur anywhere on the body, but they are most common on the chest, shoulders, back, and ears. Keloids can be smooth or bumpy, and they can be flesh-colored, pink, red, or purple. They can be small or large, and they can grow over time. Keloids can be itchy or painful, and they can sometimes interfere with movement.
What color is phlox?
Phlox is available in pastels such as pink and lavender, and more intense shades of red, purple, rose and white. Some varieties are bicolors and some have a sweet scent. Saving seeds from phlox at the end of the season isn’t difficult, and the harvested phlox seeds can be planted in your flower garden the following spring.
What flowers do Phlox have?
The most well-known cultivars are ‘Blue Ridge’ (small pale blue-purple flowers) and ‘Sherwood Purple’ (larger pale purple flowers). Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata), aka wild blue phlox, are shade-loving flowers that are among the first perennials to bloom in spring.
How tall do phlox grow?
Tall phlox, also called garden phlox, form cone-shaped clusters (panicles) of flowers in a rainbow of colors from white to pastel pink to deep blues, purples, and magentas, some with colorful eyes. They grow between two to four feet tall depending on variety, with some new dwarf hybrids.
How long do phlox plant seeds last?
A refrigerator or a cool basement are ideal places for storing phlox plant seeds. Ensure that the storage area is free from fluctuations in temperature and moisture. By following these steps, you can store phlox plant seeds for up to three years while maintaining their viability. After properly storing your phlox plant seeds, it’s time to sow them.