Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
Difficulty: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
(Easy to grow, but timing is critical for successful seed collection)
Seed Collection Time:
Late spring to early summer — typically late May through June.
Signs seeds are ready:
After flowering, the plant forms elongated, crane’s-bill-shaped seed capsules.
As the capsules mature, they turn tan or brown and become dry.
When ripe, the capsule springs open explosively, flinging seeds away — a mechanism known as ballistic dispersal.
Seeds are small, hard, and dark brown to black.
Timing is critical — collect just before capsules split open.
Seed collection steps:
Monitor plants closely in late spring and harvest seed capsules before they pop.
Snip entire seed heads into a paper bag or tray.
Allow to air dry for a few days — capsules will open naturally and release seeds.
Separate seeds from the chaff using sifting or light winnowing.
Germination tip:
Requires cold-moist stratification for 60–90 days.
C(60–90): Refrigerate in moist medium or sow outdoors in fall.
Seeds do not require light to germinate and may take several weeks to emerge.