It was suggested I make a separate post about this so I will. I wanted to let all hybridizers who have gotten a lot of rain this year to beware of seeds rotting in the pods. I have waited too long to pick several pods, only to find seeds moldy or already rotten. I am finding that pods, probably because of too much moisture, are not cracking open but getting spotted, yellow or light brown in color(see example pic). The seeds in the pictured pods were ripe and fell right out when I opened them. I think it's going to be one of those years where color of pod will determine ripeness and not wait until pod cracks open. Also, several pods I picked that were ripe were not even soft or spongy feeling either.

I've noticed the same thing. I really started harvesting yesterday. The seeds have been ripe with some rotting and one that split open and looked like popcorn!

I agree i have been harvesting mine even if they havent popped open becuase they too are starting to rot...so far I havent gotten a single pod that wasnt black and shiny and ready as far as the seeds go so I figure it cant hurt!

As long as the seeds are black you are fine. Some pods I harvested that were just slightly turning yellow, when I opened the pods the seeds fell right out.

We always have this happen in the hot, humid South. It is a little worse this year with so much rain.

Debra

I've had this happening to a lot of my seed pods, only they are no where near maturity. Could it also be from LACK of rain? We're under normal rainfall amounts, need rain bad.

Possibly Sandy. We have been above normal all summer except for August. So far we have had no measurable rain.

I picked and opened a pod today that had been on the plant for 66 days. The pod was spotted and looking off so in it came. Well, the seeds were still white. Firm and fully formed but still white. Oh well. It was an impulse cross.

I had one pod where one lobe out of the 3 was popping open so I picked the pod. All of the seeds were white. Didn't quite understand that one because it sure looked ripe.