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I wish to save seeds from some of my geraniums for next year. Everything I have read about this says to let petals fall off and I will see 5 seeds around the beak. I do not see a 'beak' let alone 5 seeds. What should these seeds look like? Where are they? What is a beak?
It's the same for "annual geraniums" (which are actually Pelargonium) as for perennial, true Geranium. After blooming, the seed head develops into a structure that looks like a crane or heron's bill (hence the common names) with 5 of these forming the seedhead. You will not be able to see the seeds. After flowering, but before the seed heads open and drop the seeds (when the seedheads have opened, you'll see the outer part curling up) , cut off a couple of stems and put them in a paper bag and let them continue drying in the house. When the seedheads have dried, the seeds will be ejected but will fall into the bag where you can collect them.
It's pretty difficult to collect seeds otherwise, as the splitting of the seedpod when it dries makes a tiny catapult that flings the seed away from the plant.
Thanks for the info! My annual red geranium usually produces new buds on the same spot for a bit. I had been deadheading parts that were not producing any new buds, though. I'll start collecting the seeds, instead. :)
