Hi Joann,

If possible can you please post a picture of the pod and the stem that attaches the pod to the vine? Some plants do finish maturing their seeds after a frost so I think it's very important to know what the stem and pod look like at this time. If they're beginning to wither or brown it's likely that the seeds are so near maturity that you could take them inside now. I'm not one to rush seeds to mature but I do understand why that could need to be done, especially if you need to trim back the vine as part of your autumn yard cleanup.

If need be you could encase the pod in a pantyhose sock. That way the pod can continue to mature and if it splits to drop its seeds they will be captured in the hosiery. The pantyhose sock will allow fresh air to get to the pod and will drain if you have a rainstorm.

I know that this plant is similar in habit to the trumper (creeper) vine. I don't grow it in my garden but hopefully someone who does can relate their experience with these seed pods.

Here are two pictures of my Crossvine seed pods. Thanks for the suggestion about the nylon stocking! I never would have thought of it. My Crossvine is still green but last year during a hard freeze it eventually lost it's leaves. I am in Zone 6b so it isn't evergreen here like in some places. I was hoping to winter sow some seeds but don't know when they will be ready to pick! These pods are from a Tangerine Beauty vine. I also have a new one called Dragon Lady but it doesn't have any pods yet. It is too new. Dragon Lady will have red flowers.

Here is a link that might be useful: Crossvine seed pods

Hello all,

Our vine has many pods which are not quite certain
if they want to finish up in time or not. Often
I tie them shut with a bread tie and just leave
them on the vine until spring.

When you open the pods, make certain the seeds,
even though paper-thin, have a bump in them. The
plain, flat dry waif of a wing is not a seed. Just
spread them out on a flat surface and pick out all
the wings with bumps in them.

:-) Hope this helps,
Karen Marie

Thanks for the pictures, they were very helpful.

In my eyes, because I don't see browning of the stem or withering of the pod, and because there's no obvious swelling of the seeds inside the pod, I don't think they're ready to be brought inside. This may be a plant that continues to mature through winter, then naturally drops its seeds in during early to mid spring.

I think the pods are very decorative and you may like having their purple tinge on the vine--it's someting with a bright color to look at in the garden during the coldest months.

T

Thanks for the helpful responses!!! I will let the pods alone to mature and either put the stocking over or use the bread tie method!

your crossvine seed pods, can i buy 3 from you?