I have just started collecting seed from my calendulas and am wondering if the seed-like forms surrounding the obvious seeds are actually seeds themselves. Those ones on the outside are bigger, more 'hollower' and paler than the central ones and some of them are mere slivers but they all have those teeny-tiny rows of spikes so I'm really curious if they are viable seeds...anyone know for sure? I'm adding a few pictures- the paler seeds to the left are what I think might not be seeds.
Try planting them and see if anything comes up! Could be that they're some sort of deception dummy to make seed predators (birds, etc.) give up in disgust before reaching the real seeds.
Hmm, my mom used to constantly have these in her garden. Every year theyd seed themselves. Never noticed the dual seed phenomenon before!
This may help...... http://mrbrownthumb.blogspot.com/2009/10/how-to-collect-calendula-seeds.html http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos/mar07/d735-5.htm
Michael- thank you for the reply- I was thinking something similar myself but have found information that states the outer seeds make for stronger plants. I have separated them and will see for certain next year. Greenlarry: yes, they are great for reseeding themselves. I got some of mine from a neighbor who doesn't even water his which come up every year. S.S. : thanks for the links - will check them out.
thought I should mention I have not read that the outside seeds are inferior in any way- in fact, it's been suggested they are stronger seeds. In any case I am keeping them separate and will determine for myself next year what the case may be.
