I have just harvested a whole bag of the seed pods and was wondering if the seeds can be eaten and how to prepare them as are meant to be very good for us.
Looking for some advice about our NZ flax growing on the front of our property. It is 3 metres tall with stiff upright flax leaves... has massive flower poles (4 metres long) which can support the weight of 2 to 3 Kakas (NZ parrot) at a time - they love the flowers. Our flax seems to put out flowers every 2 years or so. I would like to harvest the seeds and was wondering if someone can confirm that the seeds are in the actual pods (12cm long). Also how do you plant the seeds? I've not seen a flax this large before and so it was an amazing bonus when we bought our house. It seems like it would be a good idea to plant this flax more widely so that future Kakas can benefit from the flowers.
I am not familiar with Phormiums and their different varieties or cultivars.
I think your huge pods still have the flowers coming out of the ends? So you would have to wait until they shrink and ripen a bit more.
I think you should take one off and open it while green then you can see and perhaps understand how and where the seeds are inside.
You can also split the plants into sections.
How lovely you are in New Zealand and get the Kaka parrots. Their scaley patterning on feathers with the beautiful striking underwing colours too. And that you care about their situation and want to make sure they have more native flowers to visit. (Also I know there are Keas and Kakapos I am also familiar with their plights too).
It might be good to start a new post with your post above so more people see it.
State you are in NZ first, as I am not sure if the seasons coincide, you may get better information on when the pods should be ripe and when to sow. And / Or link to this third page too. Good Luck.
Wouldn't have the foggiest @AnniD I have 2 flax plants here growing well. In fact, my brother gave me the plants that he grew from seed some years ago. Apparently, you have to put the seed in damp paper towel in a plastic bag in the fridge for about six weeks. I think it would be logical to dry the seeds.
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Don't worry Chrissy, I wait until all the signs of flowering have gone and just the pods are left. I love watching bees at work
Hi
I have just harvested a whole bag of the seed pods and was wondering if the seeds can be eaten and how to prepare them as are meant to be very good for us.
Not that kind of flax
Phormiums are ornamental. The edible one is a Linum, I think.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks for that. Glad I didn't eat them
I've not seen a flax this large before and so it was an amazing bonus when we bought our house. It seems like it would be a good idea to plant this flax more widely so that future Kakas can benefit from the flowers.
Sorry no one has answered your question yet.
I am not familiar with Phormiums and their different varieties or cultivars.
I think your huge pods still have the flowers coming out of the ends?
So you would have to wait until they shrink and ripen a bit more.
I think you should take one off and open it while green then you can see and perhaps understand how and where the seeds are inside.
You can also split the plants into sections.
How lovely you are in New Zealand and get the Kaka parrots. Their scaley patterning on feathers with the beautiful striking underwing colours too.
And that you care about their situation and want to make sure they have more native flowers to visit.
(Also I know there are Keas and Kakapos I am also familiar with their plights too).
It might be good to start a new post with your post above so more people see it.
State you are in NZ first, as I am not sure if the seasons coincide, you may get better information on when the pods should be ripe and when to sow.
And / Or link to this third page too.
Good Luck.
I tend to agree with @Rubytoo about waiting a little longer for the pods to ripen, but hopefully someone will be able to advise
Google should answer typical questions.
@cheriedking94648, l did find this NZ based forum which might be able to help.
https://www.kiwigardener.co.nz/