Collecting Hummingbird Sage seeds can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience for any gardener or nature enthusiast. Hummingbird Sage is a beautiful flowering plant that attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. By collecting the seeds in the fall, you can sow them to grow new Hummingbird Sage plants the following spring.
When to Collect Hummingbird Sage Seeds
Timing is important when collecting Hummingbird Sage seeds. The ideal time is usually in the fall after the flowers have faded and the seed pods have matured and dried out completely. This is typically around September-November depending on your climate and the individual plant.
Here are some tips for determining when Hummingbird Sage seeds are ready for harvest:
- Watch the seed pods – They should be dry, brown, and brittle when fully mature.
- Give the pods a shake – If you hear the seeds rattling around inside, they are likely ready.
- Check for visible seeds – Crack open a couple pods and look to see if the seeds inside have turned dark brown.
- Wait for dieback – Most of the above-ground growth of the plant will be dying back when seeds are mature.
- Observe birds – Birds eating the seeds right off the plant is a sure sign of ripeness.
Timing it right maximizes the viability of the seeds you collect. Pick too early and the seeds may not germinate well. Pick too late and you risk losing the seeds to birds and weather.
Where to Find Hummingbird Sage Seed Pods
Hummingbird sage seed pods will form where the flowers were located. Check at the top of the plant spires, branch forks, and upper leaves. Run your hand along these areas to knock loose any dried pods.
Seeds may drop from mature pods and collect on the ground near the base of the plant. Search the surrounding soil surface for fallen seeds.
For cultivated plants, inspect the space around and underneath the plants regularly as pods mature. Use row covers or mesh bags to catch seeds before they drop if needed.
When foraging wild Hummingbird Sage, look in areas where you have seen the plants growing previously, such as:
- Canyons and gulches
- Dry, rocky slopes and hillsides
- Open woods and scrublands
- Disturbed soils along roadsides or trails
Focus on locations that get ample sunlight and are not densely overgrown. Hummingbird Sage thrives best in full sun.
How to Collect the Seeds
Use the following steps to gather Hummingbird Sage seeds:
- Identify dried seed pods that are brown, brittle, and sound hollow when shaken.
- Pick off mature pods by hand. Use gloves for protection from prickly stems.
- Place pods in a paper bag, envelope, or other breathable container.
- Inspect the ground under plants and sift through grass and debris to gather any fallen seeds.
- Clean seeds by separating them from pods and debris using a mesh strainer.
- Spread seeds in a single layer on paper towels or screen to finish drying for 1-2 weeks.
- Label bags with details like plant location, date collected, and seed quantity.
- Store dried seeds in jars, envelopes or paper bags in a cool, dry location until ready to use.
Take care not to damage the root system when collecting seeds from wild plants. Never take all the seeds so future generations of plants can grow.
How Many Seeds to Collect
The number of seeds to gather depends on how many new plants you intend to grow. Hummingbird sage seeds have a high germination rate of around 80-90%. Here are some general guidelines for quantities:
- 10-25 seeds – Enough for a 4-6 inch pot.
- 50-100 seeds – Sufficient to sow a 1-2 foot planting bed area.
- 150-200+ seeds – Adequate for starting multiple trays of seedlings or overseeding landscape beds up to 5 feet across.
Collect extra seeds to account for losses during cleaning, sorting, and dormancy. Getting 50-100% more than you need is recommended.
Ideal Storage Conditions
Proper storage is vital for maintaining viability of harvested Hummingbird Sage seeds. Here are the recommended storage conditions:
- Temperature: 60-70°F is optimal. Avoid warm areas or excessive heat.
- Humidity: Dry environment with around 30-50% relative humidity.
- Containers: Breathable paper envelopes, muslin bags, jars with loose lids.
- Duration: Up to 1 year under ideal conditions.
Monitor stored seeds occasionally for moisture and signs of mold. Discard any batches that are not keeping well.
Seed Dormancy and Pretreatment
Hummingbird Sage displays a moderate level of seed dormancy. This prevents premature germination and ensures seeds will remain viable until ideal growing conditions occur. However, dormancy also means fresh seeds may not sprout right away when sown.
To overcome dormancy and improve germination rates, cold stratification is recommended. Here is how:
- Soak seeds in room temperature water for 12 hours prior to stratification.
- Place seeds between layers of damp paper towels in a zip lock bag.
- Store bag in refrigerator for 3-4 weeks.
- Check seeds periodically and remoisten paper towels if needed.
- After stratification period, sow seeds normally.
Stratifying Hummingbird Sage seeds mimics natural winter conditions and helps speed up germination. Taking this extra step can boost germination from 50% up to 90% for harvested seeds.
Sowing Pre-treated Seeds
Once properly stratified, Hummingbird Sage seeds can be sown indoors or out. Follow these tips for success:
- Indoors – Sow in flats or pots with seed starting mix. Cover seeds lightly and maintain 65-70°F temperature. Thin seedlings after germination. Harden off before transplanting outside after frost.
- Outdoors – Direct sow after last spring frost. Choose a site with full sun and well-drained soil. Sow seeds 1⁄4 inch deep. Space seedlings at least 2 feet apart.
- Soil – Seeds germinate best in loose, humus-rich soil. Amend native soils with compost as needed.
- Moisture – Keep seeds and seedlings consistently moist but not waterlogged for the first several weeks.
Transplant into garden beds or permanent containers after hardening off, taking care not to disturb the roots. Provide moderate watering and light fertilization once established.
Caring for Hummingbird Sage Plants
Here are some tips for looking after Hummingbird Sage through the seasons once seedlings are established:
Spring
- Apply general purpose fertilizer or compost tea in early spring as plants emerge from dormancy.
- Cut plants back by up to one-third to shape and encourage bushy growth.
- Weed and amend soil around plants before warmer weather arrives.
- Water thoroughly if spring rains are lacking, especially on hot, dry days.
Summer
- Pinch back tips of each spire to prolong blooming as flowers fade.
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage additional blooming into fall.
- Provide supplemental water during dry spells for continuous growth.
- Watch for aphids, spider mites, whiteflies and treat any infestations promptly.
Fall
- Monitor plants for seed production and collect seeds once pods have dried.
- Cut plants back to the ground after first hard frost.
- Mulch around base with compost or wood chips to protect roots over winter.
Winter
- Clean up and discard any remaining plant debris after heavy frosts.
- Cover with row cover or burlap if extreme cold is expected.
- Prune back roots and divide large plants every 2-3 years in early spring to rejuvenate.
Providing good care year-round will keep Hummingbird Sage looking its best and producing an abundance of flowers and seeds.
Uses for Hummingbird Sage Seeds
Hummingbird Sage seeds offer many great benefits beyond starting new plants. Here are some additional uses:
- Food – Seeds can be eaten fresh or dried and added to trail mixes, breads, sprinkled on salads.
- Tea – Steep seeds in hot water to make a medicinal tea that aids digestion.
- Tinctures – Seeds infused into alcohol extracts have anti-inflammatory properties.
- Skin care – Antioxidant seeds can be infused into nourishing face oils and creams.
- Crafts – Add seeds to potpourri or use them to make jewelry, wreaths, and garlands.
With all these great uses, collecting a generous amount of Hummingbird Sage seeds can provide abundant benefits beyond simply starting new plants.
Conclusion
Collecting Hummingbird Sage seeds is easy and gratifying when you time it right and follow proper harvesting and storage methods. The beautiful flowering plant that arises from the tiny seeds will bring joy to any garden and provide food for local pollinators. Gathering an ample supply of seeds in the fall will ensure you have plenty of new Hummingbird Sage plants to grow year after year.
