Snapdragons are tender perennials usually treated as annuls. They are cool weather plants and often grown in the spring and fall as they do not do well in summer heat. Because snapdragons are usually self-pollinated different varieties (occasionally by bumblebees) they do not usually cross. Many of the snapdragons available, however, are hybrids and will not breed true. When crosses do occur darker colors are dominant with yellow being recessive. Tetraploids are the exception and the seed will produce offspring like the parents.
Directions for Collecting Seed:
The fruit of the snapdragon is a ½ inch long, skull shaped skull capsule containing many seeds. As the flowers fade the seed capsules will turn from green to brown and become dry. The capsules should be harvested when you can hear the seeds rattling around inside when shaken but before the capsules open and release all the seed.
1. Cut the capsules off the flower stalks.
2. Shake each capsule into a white bowl until the seeds come out or put several capsules in a small white bag and shake the bag until the seeds are released.
3. If you harvested the seeds when they were truly dry you can package them up in zip-lock bags and store them in a cool, dark, dry place like the refrigerator door. If there is any doubt about their dryness, let them dry a few days before storing.