FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Do you have to wait for stalk to dry up or only the pods like in this photo ?

Yeah I agree, I had waited to harvest and now I have an albino carpet growing. good news is they over crowded eachother so I don't have them taking over my byblis pot

Just harvested my first batch of D. Capensis seeds yesterday! I harvested the stalk when it looked something like that in the picture. The entire stalk was yellowish and all the flowers were dried. I can gurantee that by the time you harvest the stalk, you get tons of seeds! I dumped all my seeds in a 6 inch pot, can't wait for them to germinate!

what do you guys end up doing with all your cape seedlings? i'm thinking about using capes as top dressing instead of sphag moss

When I harvested mine, I did a combination of things. First, I would pull the parts of flower apart/off so I could see the ovary. Then, as each ovary ripened and began to darken, I pulled the ovary and put it in a small bowl. As the ovary dried and split, the seeds would empty into the bowl. Then I'd remove the husk with tweezers, giving it a few gentle shakes and squeezes to get any stubborn seeds to come out. Then do what you will with them.
Alternatively, you could just gently, very gently, bend the stalk over, put a big bowl or piece of paper under it, and tap the stalk. If they're ready, seeds will just rain out. It's best to do this a few times a day so you don't get too many seeds dropping into your pot. Then put the seeds in an origami envelope and figure out what to do with them.
It doesn't sound like it, but the first method is actually easier. You can put all the ovaries in a bowl and wait until they all dry out and split. Then only spend about 10 to 15 minutes separating the husk from the seed.

elaineo wrote: ↑Sat Mar 27, 2021 5:17 am what do you guys end up doing with all your cape seedlings? i'm thinking about using capes as top dressing instead of sphag moss

I sell my seedlings to help pay for my habit of buying new plants haha I am in a few plant groups in my area and not many people have tried carnivorous plants so they are curious about them.
I'm probably selling them for too cheap ($5 a pot) but last round I sold about 30 plants.

ChefDean wrote: ↑Sat Mar 27, 2021 12:34 pm Then only spend about 10 to 15 minutes separating the husk from the seed.

An old fashioned kitchen screen sifter, especially an open open basket sifter, removes about 80% - 90% of the debris in a very short time.
Here's an internet image of one:

^^^^ What he said. He's got tons more experience with dews, his method would save a lot of time.

Another option would be to cut the buds off as they go black into an envelope and let them finish and dry out in there. Be surprised how many stragglers are in there after you think it's "done." Definitely like that sifter idea though, it'd work wonders with that.

I just held a sheet of paper under the bloom and tapped it every other day. I made a mixed pot this year i think i over did it.

Not gonna lie that is pretty awesome. Like I might have to try that in one of my pots to make a "carpet of death." Who needs pygmy?

Ok. My son helped me. I’m very happy.