Question about harvesting seed
Jane McGary (Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:49:46 PST)

Nhu mentioned Triteleia and Brodiaea as genera where seed ripens
after the inflorescence is detached. I notice this particularly with
the related Dichelostemma, which species have long scapes (main
stems). By the time the seed is partially ripe, the scape is detached
from the corm, and the moisture in the above-ground parts seems to be
sufficient to maintain the plant's energy until the seed is ripe. I
wonder if this is an adaptation to avoiding browsers. If the stem and
seedhead are lying flat on the ground, deer would be less likely to
eat them -- though rodents would be more likely to carry off the
seeds, which might then have the opportunity of germinating in an
abandoned rodent cache.

Although few composites are within our purview, I'd note that it's
possible to harvest what appears to be half-ripe seed from many of
them, particularly alpine species, and it will ripen to the point of
viability later.

I have collected both Rhodophiala and Alstroemeria capsules that were
still greenish, and they ripened in the paper envelopes (don't put
them in plastic). In fact, you should get the Alstro capsules a bit
early, because when fully ripe they explode. You can hear them
popping in their envelopes, and also rosulate Viola will do this,
making you think you've got a mouse in your room. (Well, considering
the hotels one is likely to be in after collecting these seeds, you
probably do have a mouse, if not something worse.)

If you grow Kirengeshoma and want to propagate it from seed, you have
to plant the seed when it appears to be far from ripe, in late fall,
when it's soft and moist.

Understanding the life cycles and climate regimes of different plants
gives us many clues about how to handle their seeds.

Jane McGary
Portland, Oregon, USA