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cindymcb

Plumeria Pod

17 years ago

Hi! After reading some previous messages about plumeria pods, I understand I've got to wait 9 months for seeds??? Wow. My question is this: I never saw my pod when it was green (how unobservant is that??!). The first time I saw it, it was a dark, rich brown, and about 2 feet from tip to tip. Given the above, how many "months along" would you say my pod is? And how much longer will I have to wait?? Also, I'm pretty sure that the cross-pollination took place between a new little tree with yellow flowers, and my well-established, profuse pink bloomer. What color would you say the hybrid flowers will be? Thanks for any guidance... I'm so excited! It really is like waiting for the birth of a new "baby"!

Comments (8)

  • 17 years ago

    It's probly getting close to ripe. You can cover the pod with a piece of stocking material. It's very light and will contain the seeds when the pod splits. I can't tell you a thing about what to expect from the cross.

  • 17 years ago

    Just watch the seam along the pod and when it begins to crack open, cover with a cheesecloth or an old panty hose. Some pods are green and stay green. Some are green and turn brown. Others are brown all the way, which makes it hard to predict. pod starting to split below:

  • 17 years ago

    Cindy- your plant is more likely to have pollinated itself rather than have a hybrid of a cross since this is very difficult without the hummingbird moths that pollinate in the tropics. A majority of pods are probably caused by thrips in the flower parts. A newly eclosed butterfly has been known to pollinate one or two flowers but the lack of nectar prevents the veteran butterflies and hummingbirds from bothering with plumies. In self pollination, you have to look at the mother plant (which is also the father). Whites (unless rare hybrids) usually produce mostly whites. Yellows the same. Pinks tend to have more of a genetic mix so you can have more variety depending on what the genetics of the line is. Plumerias are very complex and the genes are massive for a plant so you have little real idea what it will produce. In general 75% of the seeds will look like mom to some degree although size of flower, shapes of petals, and smell may vary. The last 25% is most varied in reds, pinks and Moragnes, and you can get something new. Also the first flower which can come from 2-20 years may not be the true flower so you need to wait for the second bloom season to be sure. Just know that seeds can be a long wait and sometimes a big let down. I still have some seedlings that are 6' tall and have yet to flower. I'm waiting. Bill

  • 17 years ago

    I also have seed pods growing. How many seeds can one expect? Is the whole thing considered a seed pod, or is it considered 2 seed pods? Another question... should I stabelize the pods since they seem to be getting too big for the small stem they're on? Judging by the pictures, how much bigger do you think they'll get?

    {{gwi:1162750}}

    {{gwi:1162751}}

  • 17 years ago

    Sorry.... I moved the pics to another folder. Here they are.

  • 17 years ago

    Drew. I often use a wire coat hanger shaped to hold the pod so the weight does not cut off the flow to the pod. This just prolongs the growing time of the pod a short while and maybe results in more or better seeds (in theory). I have had pods droop and cut off the stem flow and thus open early. I use plastic plant tie to tie the wire to the stem and inflo stem.


    {{gwi:1162757}}
    The number of seeds depends on the size of the pod. A small pod may have 15-20 while a large pod may have 30-60.

    Notice the long piece between the small pod and the large two. This is in the pod where it splits and must be removed as the pod opens. Hope this helps. Bill

  • 17 years ago

    Thanks, Bill! I'm on the wire hanger as we speak.

    Thanks for the info.

    Drew

  • 17 years ago

    Hmmmm... This should get interesting! My pod is HUGE...I felt like the tree belonged in The Little Shop of Horrors or something. It's a good 2 feet from end to end. No signs yet of splitting, and the skin of the pod itself is still moist and flexible. I'm disappointed that I'm unlikely to get any exotic or unexpected results, but will look forward to the growing-from-seeds process anyway. I did that with some Flamboyant seeds I had and was just plain enchanted with the growing process. Unfortunately, my babies just couldn't tolerate the capricious California weather, and died after a few years. Still, there's something wonderful about growing from seeds... Guess I've still got a ways to go before my pod splits, and since I'm leaving on vacation in two weeks, I'd better plan to cover them before going. Maybe I'll have seeds on my return! Sorry to hear about some of the long waits some of you have had to suffer through before getting flowers. My tree was an amazing grower from Day One, with tons of flowers the first year. A second stalk from a friend also flowered almost immediately. I must have gotten extraordinarily lucky, and for that I'm very thankful. They're beautiful trees...maybe I'll talk my other half into getting rid of that stupid Japanese Sago in the corner (which has done NOTHING in over a year, except grow weeds in and around it and capture every stray leaf and piece of garbage that might be floating around) and plant a third plumeria...

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