I was told it takes around 9 months for a pod to ripen....yes??? When do you know that it's ready? Does it split or something?

You will see the center develop a seam, at that time I would either bag it with a stocking or a different kind of mesh bag, or check daily for signs of opening.

Mine popped open sometime in the last week. I didn't notice it at first. I took one that was about to open, kind of twisted it in my hand it opened. I put the flake looking seed pods in the bottom of the mother's pot and we'll see if any of them sprout. They look like they are designed to fly with the wind and I have a feeling that is what happened to the ones that opened earlier.

i had 2 double pods on my lemon chiffon and one opened about 2 months ago and the 2 took 6 more weeks!!! go figure! i did put pantyhose over it about 1 month before it opened

OK.....thanks