Can anyone tell me what causes this:




The majority of my pods are fine but I am curious what causes this to happen.

That is very odd.

I have a few that do this but not to the extent of the first photo. The few I have it just seems that the seeds grow faster and bigger than the pod so it splits. I just leave them alone and the seeds mature like normal. I don't know if there is something that actually causes this.

Should I shade the pods at all (can the seeds sun-scald)? If the weather was cooler, I probably would not be as concerned but it'll be pushing well over 100 again for the next week at least. Thank you so much for your help

I really don't know about shading them, I don't. Maybe the one that has all the seeds exposed you may want to.

Thank you, Michele!

You may want to think about also something to keep the critters of various forms from making off with your seeds.

Very true JWWC. Some times I get box elder bugs trying to get the seeds. Maybe I would cover it with a piece of nylon stocking or cheesecloth.

You may want to tie something like pantyhose or something similar around the pods that are really split so you don't lose any seeds once they are ripe.

I had not even thought about that. Thank you so much - I'll wrap with nylons this evening. Again, thank you!!!!!! I would have been really upset if the seeds ended up as someone's snack.