To get lavender seeds from a plant, you'll need to collect them from the dried flower heads after they've bloomed and matured.
Here's a step-by-step breakdown:
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Wait for the Flowers to Fade: Allow the lavender flowers to dry on the plant. The flower heads will turn brown and become brittle. This indicates the seeds are maturing.
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Harvest the Seed Heads: Cut the flower stalks just below the seed heads. You can harvest a bunch at a time for easier processing.
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Dry the Seed Heads Further (Optional): If the seed heads aren't completely dry, you can bundle them together and hang them upside down in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place for a few days to ensure they are fully dry.
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Extract the Seeds: There are a few methods you can use to extract the seeds:
- Shaking: Hold the dried flower heads over a container and shake them vigorously. The seeds should fall out.
- Rubbing: Gently rub the flower heads between your hands over a container. This will help release the seeds.
- Threshing: Place the dried flower heads in a bag or container and gently crush them. This will help separate the seeds from the chaff.
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Separate the Seeds from the Chaff: After extracting the seeds, you'll likely have a mixture of seeds and chaff (dried flower parts). You can separate them by:
- Winnowing: Gently blow on the mixture. The lighter chaff will blow away, leaving the heavier seeds behind.
- Using a Sieve: Use a fine-mesh sieve to sift out the larger pieces of chaff.
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Store the Seeds: Store the clean, dry lavender seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dry, and dark place. This will help preserve their viability. According to the reference video, proper storage, a cool and dry place, is important. The video also mentions that lavender seeds benefit from stratification. This process involves chilling the seeds to improve germination.
