How to Save Rudbeckia Seeds

The genus Rudbeckia includes over 20 species of daisy-like flowers in the Aster plant family. A common species is Rudbeckia hirta, often called gloriosa daisy or black-eyed Susan, for its bright gold flower petals that encircle a dark brown or black seed head. This species is native to much of the United States and Canada and reseeds itself readily. Some people consider it weedy when it pops up all over their yards. However, this habit of prolific seed production makes the rudbeckias easy plants from which to gather seeds. When you save seeds, you help to encourage biodiversity.

Clippers or scissors
Newspaper
Plastic zipper storage bags

Instructions

- 1
  Cut off spent flowers when they drop their petals and form seedpods. Seedpods must be brown, dry and crunchy to ensure the seeds inside are mature and viable.
- 2
  Spread a sheet of newspaper on a flat surface. One at a time, crush each domed seed head between your hands: the small seeds will fall onto the newspaper, along with some of the seedpod material, called chaff.
- 3
  Hold the newspaper containing the seeds and chaff firmly on either side with both hands. Take it to an outdoor area and then gently blow on the seeds and chaff -- much of the chaff blows away, because it is lighter than the seeds.
- 4
  Plant seeds immediately if you wish or store them in airtight plastic zipper bags until late winter or early spring.
- 5
  Start seeds indoors in pots or flats about six to eight weeks before your final spring frost. Plant seeds no deeper than 1/4 inch and place them in a sunny area. Germination occurs five days to three weeks after planting. Move them outside to the garden when seedlings are about 4 inches tall.

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