You have three different questions. Some seed you can save for more than one season. Meaning you can buy thousands and it will germinate fine three or four years from now. Celosias, statice, sunflowers are just a few that have kept for me. Asters do not. Some plants you can collect your seed for next year from. celosias, non hybrid sunflowers, amaranthus, etc. Zinnias and some other flowers can be either transplanted or direct seeded. If transplanted, they should be spaced a foot or more apart and pinched as they are growing to produce more and longer stems

Buying fresh seed each year seems to be the way to go for me. I do not harvest any of my annual seed. I do keep leftover "new" seed each year (for one year) in the frig. and have had no problems with germination -- example, zinnia, statice, sunflower, etc. seed. Depending on the size of your operation, seed prices are pretty reasonable if you "shop around." I use several different companies, depending on price. Volume always helps on the price, of course. Pitt in Central Indiana

Thank you for your prompt replies. I am just toying with the idea of farmers market for next year. Iam semi-retired and owned a greenhouse previously for 20 years. My yard is filled with flowers anyway, and those rows of zinnias are making me think maybe I could make a few bucks from them and other flowers. What kind of Celosia are long stemed for bouquets?

I grow cristata (Chief) and use the side shoots in bouquets. Sell large center heads as singles. I also use Pampas Plume which I direct seed. The pampas self-seeds each year and, of course, those plants are quite hardy. I have grown the Spring Green celosia the last 2 years, and it goes with everything in bouquets. Seed is much higher price than Chief and Pampas, but Spring Green is a great crop.

Thanks, Pitt for the sugesstions. The pictures of the Spring Green Celosia loook great. Do you start the seeds inside under lights, or direct seed in the garden? I like that unusual color, and it is always a nice contribution to a bouquet. I have grown Benary's giant zinnia in the lime green and use it often.

I start the Spring Green inside under growlights. It has been a quick crop so I don't start it too early -- late March is plenty early for my area. I have sold to local florists and sell at one Saturday farmers' market. Both like this one!

I am saving seed this year from quite a few of mine this year. I've got - salvia, gomphrena, emilia, and wheat celosia saved.

I also have fox gloves and canterbury bells in the yard that are from this year's plants harvested seed.

My zinnia and amaranth that I saved from last year did really well this year.

Saving seed from some plants is good for the pocket book for some, but be aware that any Hybrid F1 seed varieties will come back with some sort of variation to the plant, flower production or colour compared to the original seed!!!
Cheers Kim
Billabong Fresh Flower Farm