Topic: Unripe seed heads

[floraldi]

Is it essential to let seed heads go brown on the plant before removing them?  This year we have had really beautiful Californian poppies (Escoltzia?). Today I removed some of the long pointed seed heads and gently opened them but was not sure that the seeds inside will be viable when they have dried off.  Any advice about this anyone?

[calendula]

seeds become completely viable when the plant begins to shed them naturally - doing it too soon before then means they won't be ripe - patience  :)

[saddad]

With many annuals you can pick the whole plant and upend it over a paper bag and the plant will die but ripen the seeds as it withers and you collect ripe seed in the bag!
 ;D

[Georgie]

I'm with Calendula on this one.  If uncertain I tap the seed heads and if I can hear the seeds inside rattling I know they are ready.   :)

G x