Question
hello,

  My name is Kathryn.  I have a swelling green thumb and really don't know how to use it that well. I guess you could say that I am in that experimental part of the gardening life.  I really enjoy planting a seed growing a plant and then finding out the seeds of that flower or plant and being able to grow another or multiples from a seed that i basically created. This just amazes me. my favorite has been morning glories and has proven to be the most profitable. Now I have been experimenting with clippings and slips.
   Anyway, My neighbor has a "old seven sisters" growing over our shared pie path. I have been waiting all summer for the seeds to pop out. I would really like to know what these look like so I can start my own(or try to) seven sisters plants. It had many vibrant pink flowers and now there are little bushels of green pea-looking balls(seeds i think). Are these the seeds I have been so patiently awaiting. And if so, do I have to let them dry out first. Thank you very much for the time.

        Kathryn

Answer
Hi Kathryn,

It is always fun to see what we can grow amd create.  

The green pea looking balls are the rose hips and inside there are the seed/seeds.  The seeds are ready to be harvested when they start to turn orange or red.  

Depending on how ambitious you are, you can collect the hips and clean the outer covering to reveal the seeds.  The seeds will be about the size of an apple seed but white to cream colored.

Remove any debris from the seeds.  Here is where the fun begins.  If you have alot of seeds to clean, you can use the blender half filled with water and give them a whirl.  Make sure your seeds are clean.

Next, have an old pie tin and some damp paper towels ready.  

Take a one cup measuring cup and place one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide in the cup and fill the rest of the way with water. Next dampen the paper towels with this solution and line the bottom of the pie tin.   Place your cleaned seeds on the towel and cover with another dampened towel.  

Place the pie tin in refrigerator and keep moist but soaking wet.  Depending on the seeds it may take up to three months to germinate.  Once you see the fine root start to form, trans- plant the seedling to a small pot and keep moist.  A grow light is the best thing to use since it will be too cold to go outside where you live.  Keep the plants moist until it is safe to plant outside.

One note:  since roses have been crossed for hundreds of years, your seedlings will not be Seven Sisters.  But it will be fun to see what you do get.