gardens
S E P T E M B E R 2 012
P L A N T S C I EN C E
Saving Marigold Seeds
Chris Zdorovtsov | Community Development Field Specialist
The main purpose of seeds is to make new plants. Each seed contains a
tiny plant, called an embryo that can grow into an entirely new adult plant.
When a seed sprouts, it will grow a tiny root and one or two tiny leaves.
The leaves and root will get a little energy from the seed, and then will
start working just like an adult plant to make its own food.
Can you save marigold seed from one year to the next? Answer:
Possibly! Many seeds today are hybrids. These are developed by crossing
parents to get a specific combination of genetic traits. The seeds of the cross are the hybrid cultivar sold in
stores. If you save the seed of the hybrids and plant them, you will end up with a random mix of flowers that may
or may not look like the original marigolds. You can purchase open-pollinated marigolds varieties that will keep an
appearance similar to their parent, or plant hybrid seeds, knowing that you will get a random display of flowers.
Store-bought seeds will last for more than one year if stored properly. It is important that the seeds are kept dry.
Keep the seeds in their original seed packet or an envelope and store them in an airtight jar or bag. Keep them in
a cool basement or in the refrigerator at a temperature between 32 and 50ºF. Before planting in the spring, test
germination by placing seeds in a moist paper towel. Put the paper towel in a plastic bag and store it in a warm
location. Watch to see if the seeds germinate.
If you choose to save the seeds, collect the flower heads once the
flower has turned brown and is completely dry. The flower will feel like
paper and will almost crumble when squeezed. Hold the base of the
flower and pull out the dried petals. You will see long, slender, dark
seeds at the base of the petals. Clean off the old flower and leaf parts.
Make sure they are completely dried before storing the seeds in a paper
bag. Replant next spring.
You can also collect other seeds from the garden and plant them next
year. Seeds that self-pollinate are best to save because they will look
similar to their parent. Try saving non-hybrid self-pollinators such as
beans, peas, peppers or tomatoes.
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gardens
Source:
SDSU Beginner Horticulture Plant Parts Study Guide by Jerry Mills, SDSU Horticulture Extension Educator and
Rhoda Burrows, SDSU Horticulture Specialist (2007).
Help Sheet: Seeds, The Young Virginia Gardener, Virginia Tech Horticulture Department, Retrieved from:
http://www.hort.vt.edu/HORT6004/network/YouthGardener/Helpsheets/seeds.pdf
Seed Saving, Jennifer Schultz Nelson, University of Illinois Extension, Retrieved from:
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/dmp/palette/080824.html
Sout h Dakot a St at e Univer s i t y, S out h D a kot a c ount i es , a nd U.S. D epa r t m ent of Agr i c ul tur e c ooper a t i ng . So u th D a ko t a
St at e Univer sit y is an Aff i r m a t i ve Ac t i on/E qua l Oppor tuni t y E m pl oyer a nd offer s a l l benef i t s , s er v i c es , e d u c a ti o n , a n d
employment oppor tunit ies w i t hout r ega r d for r a c e, c ol or, c r eed, r el i gi on, na t i ona l or i gi n, a nc es t r y, c i t i ze n s h i p , a g e ,
gender, sexual or ient at ion , di s a bi l i t y or Vi et na m E r a Vet er a n S t a tus .
Publication: 06-1015-2012
Contact: Chris Zdorovtsov
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iGrow | A Service of SDSU Extension