By Matildajane
United Kingdom 
Trapaeolum speciosum: when is the best time to harvest these seeds for sowing myself from a mother plant given by a friend, as I don't want to try to did it up and risk losing it? Not sure how where I live affects the harvesting of the seed as assume it depends on "stage" seed is at, but live in very north (just this side of scottish border) of England. Seeds on my plant to date range from green (expect they are just forming) to purple/blue. A neighbour has been lucky (? I think so anyway) enough to have several seedlings appear around her garden, but not got any from seeds she has planted.
29 Oct, 2011
Answers
It depends on where you live MG. Down here in the relatively dry southeast of England, it barely survives
29 Oct, 2011
Might be useful if Matilda told us where she lives...
29 Oct, 2011
Not even 'barely' in my case - it struggled and gave up. No sign of it this year. :-((
29 Oct, 2011
Possibly prefers the cooler, wetter climes of northern Scotland...
30 Oct, 2011
Probably why it is known as Scottish Flame Flower.
30 Oct, 2011
How come it grows so well at Sissinghurst then? Not fair. :-((
30 Oct, 2011
Sorry Spritz - no idea... type of soil?
30 Oct, 2011
Scottish gardener!!!!!
30 Oct, 2011
Well it is in Kent which is called the Garden of England
30 Oct, 2011
I don't know what the soil is at Sissinghurst I'm afraid -good, though, I bet. ;-)
30 Oct, 2011
Hi and welcome to GoY these seeds 'pop' when they are ripe so just wait until they start doing so and then collect some seed, or let them seed naturally. However, so far as I am concerned these vines should come with a warning, if they like your garden, they spread like crazy! We removed out Tropaeolum after visiting friends in Aberdeen where it was completely out of control. It has invaded the gardens on both sides of their house and is, like a triffid, on the march.
29 Oct, 2011