Delisa posted on March 31, 2010 19:57
How to Harvest Brugmansia Seed
Now that you have a Brugmansia seed pod you need to know when it is time to harvest. A pod is usually mature at 3 to 4 months. I like to feel and look monitoring for ripeness. When the pod is ripe it will start to soften. The most visible sign is a pod color change from green to some spots of yellowing. The pod stem will also change to a brown color. Seed from an unripe pod will be white or a pale tan and may still be viable if planted immediately. Mature seed will be darker brown to very brown and almost black. I know of at least one hybridizer that just leaves the pod on the plant to dry.
Cut the pod off from the stem making sure to keep the labeling tag with the pod. My preference is to then cut the pod lengthwise taking care not to cut the seed. Remove the seed and rinse or not according to personal preference. Spread the seed out on a thick paper towel and leave until no longer moist.
The seed should be properly labeled and stored in a breathable material like a paper coin package or glassine envelope. The cross, year, and hybridizer is sufficient. The seed are dried and placed in breathable packaging to prevent mold. The same goes for storage and mine just live in a drawer in the house since I have a temperature and humidity controlled environment.
By Delisa Harvey
Ripe Pod
