People who collect items do so for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the purpose is an unlimited curiosity about the subject which is collected. Stamp and coin collectors often fall into this category.
Others collect to satisfy an insatiable want to physically possess the subject of their obsession. In extreme cases this is labeled hoarding disorder, a condition where unorganized piles accumulate in chaotic and nightmarish disarray.
The autumn season brings out another variety of collector which has practical and utilitarian objectives for their collecting activity. Seed collectors are actively acquiring mature seeds for one of two diametrically opposed reasons.
The first reason is to prevent or minimize the spread of a particular species. Many perennials and most annuals have seeds ready to disburse into the environment.
In the case of unwanted or invasive annuals, it is pointless to treat the plants with an herbicide. This late in the year, the plants are already dying and will be gone in the weeks soon to come.
Nandinas are currently producing copious quantities of berries which will soon be bright red and have a holiday season appearance. While the berries feed many hungry birds in the cold months to come, the feathered residents and migrants help scatter this invasive plant to new locations where it will grow uncontrolled and crowd out many native plants.
However, collecting their seeds for disposal will minimize their appearance next spring in the home landscape or other sites. The seeds should be securely bagged and placed in the waste stream or completely destroyed by the homeowner.
Never attempt to compost collected weed seeds. Some will almost certainly survive and germinate in the nutrient rich pile of organic matter. This practice will only return the problem the following spring.
Golden Bamboo (Nandina), Lantana and some other landscape ornamentals with exotic origins have invasive tendencies. While the shrub type is a cosmetic benefit to the manicured landscape, the “volunteers” which sprout in unplanned locations are a problem.
As with annuals, the seeds of potentially invasive perennials should be collected and disposed of properly. Additionally, some sterile varieties of these popular exotics have been developed and should be considered as replacement plants.
Being able to recognize wildflower seeds is the first step in collecting. Some, like these tropical sage seeds, are very small and very difficult to identify.
The second reason to collect seeds in the autumn is to propagate a desired species, both in the home landscape or in a wild area. Collectors in this realm face many challenges, but attention to details can deliver very satisfactory results.
Colorful wildflowers are a frequent objective of fall seed collectors. These native plants add a natural hue to the environment but are very sensitive to a variety of factors.
Once a species is selected, research the ecological requirements for successful establishment. Sun exposure, soil nutrients and moisture are among the many considerations. Some species will flourish only in specific microenvironments which are difficult to identify and recreate.
Pockets of plant concentrations are great collection sites, but the collector must acquire the permission of the landowner before gathering begins. The collector must be aware that a variety of animal species may be encountered during the seed harvest, including stinging insects and reptiles.
Establishment sites for the collected seeds may need preparation before planting. This can include removing competing species and amending the soil to the ideal pH level.
First attempts at starting a wildflower plot commonly result in mediocre performance or complete failure. The reasons are many, including incorrect planting time, lack of seed viability and inhospitable weather.
Still, persistence and observation will lead to success, whether collecting to control unwanted weeds or producing a colorful landscape. For the passionate collector, autumn offers many opportunities.
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