My mission today was to collect some Jacaranda seeds to send to my blogging pal Tom in Angola.
A few weeks ago I sent him some Ponciana seeds and blogged about it here.
Jacarandas produce lots of seeds but I had forgotten that the seeds were so high in the tree !
I had also forgotten that when they are ready the seed pods burst open and the seeds float away on the breeze !
Everywhere I looked the pods were open and the seeds were gone !!
High up in the tree I could spy a few green pods which hadn't opened yet but they would be very difficult to get at.
Like this one .
so I began to search the ground under the trees for seed pods to take home.
It was obvious that the seeds were long gone from these ones.
The pods spring open with quite a lot of force and the seeds are expelled.
You can see the centre rib where they are attached.
These seed pods are tough - brittle and hard. I had to use a knife to prise them open - and I looked through all the ones I had brought home, ever hopeful that there would be some seeds still clinging inside..
I found a couple still attached to the pod.
See the little thin membrane attached to them?
It acts as a wing so that they fly away on the breeze.
Two seeds of questionable quality.
There were now three pods left but I was very hopeful as two were only just cracked open and one was completely closed.
One was empty but the next one had plenty of seeds inside
The last one took quite a bit to get it open as it was completely sealed up tight.
I cut away the edge then inserted a knife to prise it open a bit
Finally the pod snapped open and there they were !
Lots of them! Looking healthy too !
I've planted a couple to test them out.
The rest have been placed in a card addressed to Tom's brother in Germany who will, I hope, send them on to Tom in his next parcel.
It will be great to see these trees enhancing the resort that Tom is working hard to build.
Let's hope they like the climate.
Update
Below are some photos I took today of the Ponciana seedling I planted a month ago.
There are five of them.
Anyone want a Ponciana tree???
You are a good friend !
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun thing to do.
DeleteThat's a point, my brother returned from Saudi yesterday, I must ask him if in the mountain of mail that must have been lying on his door mat are the first bunch of seeds!
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to growing these seeds, I am sure they will do well here and add a much needed splash of colour!
My Poinciana seedlings are a month old now and have grown really fast. I'll post a photo tomorrow.
DeleteThis is the reply to the email I just sent Micky asking him if your seeds had arrived:
Delete'In my garden growing nicely thanks:-)'
He'll send them out in the next DHL/Red Cross parcel.
It was really interesting to see the seeds and pods and learn a little more about the Jacaranda!
ReplyDeleteThanks Louise, has Spring started there yet?
DeleteSuch interesting seed pods. How great to think of seeds from your tree growing in Africa.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful seed pods Helsie.
ReplyDeleteYour persistence is admirable and Cap'n Gowans clearly appreciates your effort. In return perhaps he can send you a young hippo to mate with a suitable kangaroo. Their offspring would be known as kangarosamuses or, if you prefer, hipparoos.
ReplyDeleteI'd rather have a baby elephant thanks !
ReplyDeleteI love these posts! I always learn something new! :-) Ros
ReplyDeleteYou're green and spreading lavender throughout the world, Helsie. :)
ReplyDelete