| I have a blooming large plant named above. I usually pull the long seed pods off to keep it blooming. I would like to allow the seeds on a limb to mature, so I could plant them and have more plants. What is the best way to accomplish this? Do I allow them to dry first etc? |
| Pride of Barbados, Caesalpinia pulcherrima, is a member of the pea family and the seed pods look a little like flattened pea pods. Pride of Barbados is easy to start from seeds. Allow the pods to turn tan in color and feel crisp and dry to the touch before pulling or cutting them from your plant. Open the pod and remove the seeds. You can sow them just beneath the surface of moistened potting soil. Keep the potting soil moist but not soggy wet. In warm conditions they should sprout within 2 weeks. Germination will be speeded up if the seeds are nicked with a file before planting. I use a sharp knife or even a small file to barely break an opening in the hard outer coating. Since you will have plenty of seeds you can try planting some without nicking the seed coat and others with nicks in the seed coats just to see which comes up first. Best wishes with your Pride of Barbados. |
