Elsa, Thanks for your thoughts!
With regard to fall seed pods not being able to reach maturity due to freezing, simply cut them before they freeze and keep them in a vase inside. As long as the seed pod has reached its full size (I try to give it at least 30 days) they will mature, dry, and open in a vase. I usually keep a couple inches of water in the vase for a few weeks and then remove the water. The pods will continue to mature for several weeks without the water before they start to dry.
With regard to breeding to itself, I understand that I could do that, but I have other specific crosses that I'm interested in.