I am trying to gather ruella seeds. There are large groupings about 8-10 feet across - all gathered around in a circle. I gathered a few brown withered flowers but they don't seem to have seeds. Nothing is obviously going to seed on the plants. The landscapers wander around hacking everything in "common areas" to somewhat geometric shapes. Heaven forbid they pull a weed - if it can't be weed wacked they spray it on a hot sunny day.

I'll keep checking and deadheading the plants. I already pull weeds near my place and pick up any poo poos my dog finds (she finds them all). Any advice? (on ruella seeds, not poo poos.)

If I can't get seeds, I can send a few plants (separately if they are too big for the swap. They must be really hardy plants to survive the landscapers. I made signs in English and Spanish "please don't cut my flowers". Thanks Google translate.

Andy, the seed pods are longish (about 3/4 inch) brown capsules which pop open when ripe to reveal several seeds. Once they are open they look like space alien three fingered appendages, splayed open. I've lost all of mine before because they were expelled before I could get them.

I'm assuming you're referring to R. simplex. Some of the others have similar pods, but they are not as long.
Good luck. I have a vested interest in it. Mine survive about 1 in 5 winters here, so I'm always looking for seeds-of any species except my native one.

That is what they look like. R. simplex. I'll keep gathering wilted brown flowers while dog walking and see if they turn into space aliens. Better keep them in a brown bag in case they try to fly away. If no alien seeds appear, I'll grab you a few plants.

Leave the wilted brown flowers to turn into seeds lol. If no seed pods are forming either they are not being pollinated or may be sterile.

Thanks but no plants please. I am surrounded by tender perennials waiting for me to open the greenhouse in Feb now. I literally have an Abutilon poking me in the ear as I type.
However, in spring we might do a trade…

"I've lost all of mine before because they were expelled before I could get them."
That's why I bag my seed pods. I discovered that bagging immediately can prevent bug 🐛 damage, too.
The Hibiscus need to be bagged as buds to prevent a little beetle from depositing eggs into the developing seed pod. I open the bags up just long enough to hand pollinate the flowers. Sometimes I have to chase beetles off during the process! I tie the bags on as tightly as possible without damaging the plant. I open it once more in 2 or 3 days to remove the wilted flower mush, and then leave it bagged until the seedhead starts to crack open naturally. It works well for daylilies and irises, too.

GardenQuilts said: I am trying to gather ruella seeds. There are large groupings about 8-10 feet across - all gathered around in a circle. I gathered a few brown withered flowers but they don't seem to have seeds. Nothing is obviously going to seed on the plants. The landscapers wander around hacking everything in "common areas" to somewhat geometric shapes. Heaven forbid they pull a weed - if it can't be weed wacked they spray it on a hot sunny day.

I'll keep checking and deadheading the plants. I already pull weeds near my place and pick up any poo poos my dog finds (she finds them all). Any advice? (on ruella seeds, not poo poos.)

If I can't get seeds, I can send a few plants (separately if they are too big for the swap. They must be really hardy plants to survive the landscapers. I made signs in English and Spanish "please don't cut my flowers". Thanks Google translate.

Be aware not all ruellia set seed. Some are hybrid and are non seeding varieties.

I live in a condo. I have plants in my home, screened porch and a limited area around my unit. I am on a waiting list for local community gardens to meet fellow gardeners and grow more veggies.

The ruella are in the common area. Anything in the common area is serviced by "rent a wacky wacker" landscaping. Plants are chopped mercilessly into drunken geometric shapes. Nothing is left alone long enough to goto seed. Many plants aren't allowed to bloom.

GardenQuilts said: I live in a condo. I have plants in my home, screened porch and a limited area around my unit. I am on a waiting list for local community gardens to meet fellow gardeners and grow more veggies.

The ruella are in the common area. Anything in the common area is serviced by "rent a wacky wacker" landscaping. Plants are chopped mercilessly into drunken geometric shapes. Nothing is left alone long enough to goto seed. Many plants aren't allowed to bloom.

Ugh. That is infuriating, I'm sure.