Question
I have just pollinated all my freshly bloomed tulips and I'd like to know what I do next to capture the seeds for sowing.
The tulip flowers generally fall to th ground shortly after they bloom so when is the proper time to try and capture the seeds after pollination? Also any books you can recommend on propagation of seeds for a variety of plants? Tnx.

Answer
Hi Mario,
Thanx for your question.  Remember that if your tulips are hybrids the resulting seed will not produce plants that look like the parents.  Species tulips, will produce similar plants if you pollinated them yourself.  Once you pollinate your flowers, they will form pods and wait until the pods are brown to remove (probably in late May) and open up the pods and sprinkle the seeds onto a paper plate and allow them to dry for about a week.  Growing tulip seeds requires a cold period which is also called stratification.  The seed require 90 or more days in order to break dormancy and sprout.  You can synthesize this activity by putting ripe seed in a damp paper towel and enclosing in a platic baggie and placing inside the fridge for 90-120 days or for the whole winter.  Plant the seeds in a good potting soil mix, covered with 1/4-1/2 inch of soil and left in a warm environment.  Be patient.  Germination can be sporadic and take months.  Keep the pot watered and in a window sill or underneath lights.  

I don't use books any more.  The Internet is full of information.  Use Google.com to help you search for the best seed germination or horticultural sites.  That's what I do.

I hope this helps.
Tom