Saving seeds - calendula officinalis

A basic right we all have as humans is to save seeds from the plants we grow in order to plant and reproduce, whether it be flowers, vegetables, fruits - whatever. Some big greedy companies would like to take those rights away, patenting seeds that God created as their own. I think it's BS and would like to post some pictures to help others learn how to save their own seeds. I have alot to learn about seed saving and look to others for assistance, so in return I want to post what I have learned in hopes that these blogs help others learn as well.

Calendula officinalis is also know as Pot Marigold, not to be mistaken with the Marigold of the Tagetes genus that most of us are familiar with. Commonly called Calendula, mine started out looking like this:

Here is what my flowers look like as they start to dry. The out shell that protects the seeds and holds them in is starting to dry but the interior seeds are still green. I left this flower on the stalk longer so the seeds can dry naturally, taking in all of the nutrients they need from the plant before they are brown and ready for harvesting.

These seeds are ready - see how the outer shell is opening up to release the seeds?

Parts of the flower after you cut it off and bring it over for harvesting seeds. The outer shell parts stay a lighter brown than the seeds so you can tell them apart. The part doesn't need to be saved. The inside dried stamen parts don't need to be saved either. You can winnow them away if you don't like to save them with your seed. I don't think it hurts if you do, just gives a dirty appearance if you give the seeds away as gifts.

To harvest the seeds, you can crumble the entire flowerhead or run your fingers roughly across the top of the seeds to loosen them. They'll fall off and you will see these seeds are curled up and brown. This is what you want to save.

Here is the outer shell, empty of the seeds and inner portions that previously existed. If some of the outer portions fall off with the seed, you can easily pick them out. Be sure to dry your seeds for another 2 weeks or so to ensure they are completely dry before packaging them. The most critical step is to LABEL your seeds - the name, type, month and year you harvested. You can get free seed envelopes here - just print them, cut them and fold them together with tape or glue.

Saving you're own seeds is rewarding and satisfying. And if you save your own seeds and plant them out each year, after 3 years they are adapted to your specific climate which makes them that much hardier for you. Enjoy!