How to Collect Pentas Seeds

Pentas, also known as Egyptian star clusters, are beautiful warm-season annuals that produce dense clusters of star-shaped flowers in shades of red, pink, white and lavender. They are native to tropical East Africa and are commonly grown as ornamental plants in gardens. Pentas attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds. Many gardeners want to collect seeds from their pentas plants to sow again next year. With a little knowledge about the pentas life cycle and seed harvesting, you can easily collect viable pentas seeds from your plants.

Life Cycle of Pentas

Pentas are tender perennials in their native tropical habitat but they are grown as annuals in temperate climates. They are sensitive to frost Pentas plants grow quickly in warm weather and bloom continuously from summer until frost. The flowers are arranged in rounded clusters at the tips of the stems

Pentas are self-pollinating so they do not require cross-pollination for seed production. Once pollinated, the flowers fade and seed pods develop. Mature seed pods split open when totally dry to release the tiny seeds. In areas with long, warm growing seasons, pentas may self-sow from dropped seeds But in cooler climates, the seeds need to be collected and stored over winter

When to Collect Pentas Seeds

Timing is important when collecting pentas seeds. Seeds should be harvested when the seed pods are completely dry and brown. This is usually in late summer or fall after the flowers have faded. Immature green seeds will not germinate well.

Check the pods daily as they begin to brown and dry. Gently shake the pods and listen for the rattle of seeds inside. Split a few pods open to inspect the seeds. Mature seeds will be hard and dark colored. Once most of the pods appear dry, it’s time to harvest.

How to Collect Pentas Seeds

Supplies Needed:

• Paper bags or envelopes
• Gardening snips/pruners
• Sieve or mesh strainer
• Container for dried seeds

Steps:

1. Identify seed pods that are brown, dry and brittle.

2. Snip off the stems bearing the ripe seed heads. Place into paper bag.

3. Collect seed heads from several parts of the plant to ensure genetic diversity.

4. Allow seed heads to finish drying in a warm, dry spot for 1-2 weeks.

5. When thoroughly dry, rub the seed heads between your hands over a sieve to separate the seeds. Or gently crush pods and shake out seeds.

6. Use the sieve to filter out debris and chaff. Small seeds will pass through sieve.

7. Place filtered seeds into an envelope or jar labeled with plant name and date.

8. Discard plant debris.

9. Store seeds in a cool, dry location until planting time next season.

Some key points to remember when collecting pentas seeds:

• Harvest seeds on a dry, sunny day to prevent mold growth.

• Collect from several healthy, vigorous plants for genetic diversity.

• Carefully dry and store seeds for best viability. Pentas seeds lose viability quickly when stored improperly.

• Inspect seeds and discard any that are discolored, shriveled or damaged.

• Label seeds carefully with plant name and date collected.

• Ideal storage conditions are cool and very dry. Refrigerate seeds in air-tight containers.

With proper timing and technique, it is quite easy to gather viable pentas seeds from your flowering plants at the end of the season. Saving your own seeds allows you to perpetuate favorite plant varieties and provides an economical way to propagate more plants next year. Get familiar with the pentas life cycle and seed development stages so you can harvest seeds at their peak maturity. Follow the simple seed collection steps outlined above and you’ll soon have a supply of pentas seeds to sow next summer. Share seeds with gardening friends to spread the beauty of pentas far and wide.

Troubleshooting Pentas Seed Germination

You carefully harvested and stored pentas seeds from your garden, but when you sow them next spring only a few seeds sprout. What went wrong? Here are some troubleshooting tips to improve germination of saved pentas seeds:

Ensure seeds are mature– Check seed color and hardness. Immature seeds fail to germinate. Discard any soft, greenish seeds.

Prevent mold– Dry seeds thoroughly after harvest and store in airtight containers in a cool, dry place. Discard any moldy seeds before planting.

Use fresh seeds– Pentas seeds lose viability quickly, within 1-2 years. Old seeds often fail to sprout.

Scarify hard seeds– Some pentas seeds have hard outer coatings. Lightly abrade with sandpaper or nick carefully with a file.

Moisten and chill seeds– Presoaking pentas seeds 24 hours and chilling for 2-4 weeks breaks dormancy.

Sow seeds shallowly– Cover very small seeds lightly, less than 1⁄4 inch deep. Seeds need light to germinate.

Keep soil warm– Pentas seeds germinate best at 70-75°F. Use a heat mat or grow lights if needed.

Maintain evenly moist soil– Water carefully to keep soil moist but not soggy. Allowing seeds to dry out reduces germination.

Practice patience– Germination may be erratic over 2-3 weeks. Avoid digging up seeds too early.

Grow more seedlings– Germinate extra seeds to allow for lower germination rates of home-saved seeds.

With care and patience, you can successfully grow lovely pentas plants from your own harvested seeds next season. Pay close attention to seed maturity, storage conditions and planting techniques for best results.

How to Grow Pentas from Seeds

Pentas are commonly propagated from cuttings, but with care they can also be started from seeds. Follow these tips for successfully growing pentas from seed:

• Start pentas seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last expected spring frost. They require a long warm season to reach maturity and bloom.

• Use fresh seeds no more than 1-2 years old for highest viability. Discard any shriveled or discolored seeds.

• Fill sterile seed starting mix in containers with drainage holes. Cell packs or flats work well.

• Moisten soil and sow seeds on surface. Seeds need light to germinate. Cover very lightly with vermiculite if needed.

• Maintain warm temperature of 70-75°F for best germination. Use a heat mat if needed.

• Keep soil evenly moist but not saturated. Use a spray bottle to water gently.

• Germination occurs in 10-20 days but can be erratic. Be patient.

• Once seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light. Supplement with grow lights.

• Transplant into larger containers when true leaves appear. Bury stem up to leaves.

• Harden off plants slowly over 7-10 days before transplanting outdoors after danger of frost.

• Plant pentas in full sun with well-drained soil. Space 12-15 inches apart.

• Pinch back tips to promote bushy growth. Apply slow release fertilizer at planting.

• Water plants during dry periods to keep soil moderately moist.

• Monitor for pests like aphids and mites. Control with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil sprays.

• Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming into fall.

With proper care while starting seeds indoors and good conditions once transplanted outside, home-grown pentas started from seeds will soon become outstanding additions to the summer garden. Their colorful, nectar-rich flowers will attract hummingbirds and butterflies all season long.

Storing Pentas Seeds

After carefully collecting mature pentas seeds from your garden, proper storage is key to maintaining seed viability. Follow these tips for best results:

• Allow seed heads and pods to fully dry on the plants before harvesting seeds.

• Further dry seeds for 1-2 weeks on paper towels indoors. Discard any moldy seeds.

• Clean and sort seeds to remove chaff and debris. Discard small, shriveled or discolored seeds.

• Place seeds in a paper envelope or sealed glass jar. Avoid plastic bags or containers.

• Label the container with plant name, variety, and year collected.

• Ideal storage conditions are cool and extremely dry. Refrigerate seeds or keep in any dark, dry spot around 40°F.

• For long term storage of several years, dry seeds with silica gel in an airtight container and freeze.

• Avoid high humidity and temperature fluctuations. Prevent exposure to direct sunlight.

• Inspect seeds periodically and discard any showing signs of mold or deterioration.

• Use seeds within 1-2 years for best germination rate. Viability declines over time.

• Test older seeds by sprouting a sample on a damp paper towel to check viability before planting.

Properly dried and stored pentas seeds can remain viable for up to 2 years, sometimes longer. But take time after collecting seeds to dry, clean and package them carefully for highest germination next season. With extra care, your home-saved seeds will yield a beautiful new crop of pentas for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions about Pentas Seeds

Here are answers to some common questions about collecting and growing pentas from seeds:

When do pentas produce seeds?

Pentas produce seed pods after the flowers fade in late summer or fall. Allow pods to dry thoroughly on the plants before harvesting seeds.

What do pentas seeds look like?

Pentas seeds are very small, similar in size to tobacco or petunia seeds. They are tear-drop shaped and vary in color from light brown to black depending on variety.

How do I extract the tiny seeds from the seed pods?

Collect dried pods in paper bags and rub to separate seeds. Or gently crush pods in your hand over a sieve and shake out the seeds.

Can I grow new pentas plants from my own collected seeds?

Yes, with care pentas can be grown from home-saved seeds. Follow tips for correct harvesting, drying, storage and sowing for success.

How long do saved pentas seeds remain viable?

Stored properly in a cool, very dry place, pentas seeds may retain good germination for 1-2 years. For best results, sow seeds within a year of harvest.

How do I plant pentas seeds?

Start seeds 8-10 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow seeds shallowly in warm (70°F) sterile seed starting mix. Provide plenty of light as soon as sprouts emerge.

Should I soak pentas seeds before sowing?

Some gardeners recommended soaking pentas seeds in warm water for 24 hours before planting to improve germination. But take care not to allow seeds to over-soak and rot.

Why do my saved pentas seeds fail to germinate sometimes?

Erratic or poor germination is often due to old, unripe or improperly stored seeds. Ensure you sow fresh seeds at the proper planting time and conditions.

With the right techniques, collecting and propagating pentas from seeds can be very rewarding!

Conclusion

Pentas are exotic looking annuals that provide nonstop color in summer flower beds and containers. Their dense flower clusters attract butterflies and hummingbirds all season long. While pentas are readily available at garden centers each spring, many gardeners enjoy the challenge of growing these unusual blooms from seeds.

Collecting ripe pentas seeds at the end of the season takes only a little time and effort. Proper drying, cleaning, labeling and storage of the tiny seeds are key to maintaining viability. Provide warm temperatures, plenty of light and adequate moisture when sowing pentas seeds indoors or out. With extra care when starting and growing on pentas from seed, you’ll be rewarded with a bounty of bright blossoms in unique colors. You may even have extra seeds to share with fellow gardeners.

Saving your own pentas seeds allows you to propagate beloved plant varieties year after year. Get to know the pentas life cycle and seed development stages in your growing region. Follow the techniques outlined above for harvesting, processing and storing seeds correctly. Troubleshoot germination issues if needed to improve success. With practice, you’ll soon become skilled at propagating gorgeous pentas from your home-grown seeds.