For the first time I was able to spread the seeds and have some babies. Maybe I should not say spread.......I cut the stems and placed in a pot.

I have a bunch of babies right now all I see are some green ones and purple ones with two little leaves. I need suggestion of next step?

i.e. When should I start to remove and transplant (Not in the garden but into larger pot)?

When do they show true color or markings?

What do you do with them their first winter after sprouting?

Thank you explaining your process.

I have only done it a few times. I put in 4 inch pot around 2 inches tall, first winter I put the whole pot in the ground in a protected area and then plant out the following Spring. Color they come up has been pretty much the color they grew up. Maybe a bit lighter or darker but same color. Hopefully Julia will see this, she has done it much more then me. Most of my seedlings have just come up on their own.

Seedlings are so fun! I transplanted when they got 3-4 true leaves on them. I potted into 4 inch nursery containers. I just left them out all winter but I'm in zone 7. As for the color they don't change much from seedling to maturity.
They do get much bigger once you plant out in the garden from the 4 inch container. Seems like in just a few weeks. One year I had flats of seedlings.
Can you share some pictures?

If we ever get a day it is not raining I will get pics.

Bob I have never had a volunteer in my garden but I plant so close there is no room in my gardens.

Thank you both I will keep you updated and you can hold my hand along the way,

Here you go this are the pots. I just take the stems when they are done blooming and throw them in the pots and this is what I got.

Nice Cinta,
You might want to pot those up into larger containers. Then water with 1/2 strength quick Start.

Larger really. One of the containers is a gallon pot the other 2 are 4" containers. I have some supper thrive. Have you ever used that and a transplant tonic.

Funny how photo are deceiving. Looked like those little 2 inch containers.
I use to use that but like the quick start better.

Okay. I was thinking I am really doing something wrong. I said gee she grows giant Hercs.

They are so small I am waiting on 3 leaves and thinking maybe spread them out in the existing pots.

I cut off the flower stalks from some yesterday and laid them in some pots. This is fun. I am going to do a herc garden in a sitting area. I will have to protect the area because the animals eat them.

I did post this in the chat but if anyone does a search it may help to see my progress and end product with so little effort.

I started with pots filled with the fall leaves that are collected in Fall that makes a beautiful soil over the winter,

When the stem is done blooming I cut them and place them on top of the pots in the leaf compost soil.

There first winter baby stage I put the pots in the garden and covered them with leaves. Following Spring I divide them into bigger pots. These are second yr from seed to plant look.

Did you say seedlings? I see markers on a few of the pots. Yellow/ orange on the top left has unique look.

I put the stems in pots from my dead plants. So some do have labels but they are not true names just a convenient pot of dirt.