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Hostas, worth letting seeds develop?

ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
in Plants
My hosta flowers are finishing, and seem to be developing seeds. If I collect them when ready, will I be able to plant them? Or is it not worth the bother? 
If it is, how will I tell if they are ready to collect, and how best to store them.
Any suggestions, @Hostafan1?


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Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    the seedlings are unlikely to be the same as the parents. 
    You might find a little wonder, but most will be pretty bland.
    Devon.
  • ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
    edited July 2023
    That’s a shame, @Hostafan1. Is there any benefit in taking the flowers off at this time of year, or shall I just leave them to do their thing? I’m assuming the seed heads will eventually just dry up when they’re ready.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I leave mine. I've got far too many to remove
    Devon.
  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904
    I cut the flowers off...runs away quick...🤺
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    plant pauper said:
    I cut the flowers off...runs away quick...🤺
    lots of really Hosta Nuts do the same. They feel the flowers detract , but the bees love them
    Devon.
  • pitter-patterpitter-patter Posts: 2,429
    I’m planning to harvest the seeds from mine and try my luck.
  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904
    Hostafan1 said:
    plant pauper said:
    I cut the flowers off...runs away quick...🤺
    lots of really Hosta Nuts do the same. They feel the flowers detract , but the bees love them
    Darn it! Now I'll have to leave them and look at their wishy-washy lilacness. Bum.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Some have white flowers, and some are scented
    Devon.
  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904
    I'm afraid I drew the short WWL straw when I moved here. I inherited them with the house and then one appeared on top of my compost bins one day. Nobody will admit to leaving it there and it is absolutely mahoosive! 
    I do like them. 😍
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    I grow them from ripened (black) seeds, sown in spring.  Easy and quite quick.
    Species will grow like their parents (Hosta venticosa, H sieboldiana will come up as sieboldiana but not the selection - elegans, Frances Williams will come up as a mixture.)  Non-species Hostas will produce some worthwhile surprises, and some dross.

    Interesting and entertaining.  But perhaps not financiallt worth the effort.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
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