Propagation: seeds that POP!!!, 1 by podster

podster wrote:
I have a habit of collecting seed and putting them in shallow dishes to dry before stashing them. I have found two types of seeds that surprised me with the way they POP and spray the seeds across the kitchen.

The first one was seed pods from a Ruellia. Yes, I know... you are asking yourself why the heck anyone would save Ruellia seed. Well, it was a more unusual trailing type and I wanted to keep a start of it in case I killed the plant. And I was a novice about green stuff. 8 ))

Anyway, I had it sitting on the kitchen counter and when we got in from work, I thought there were tiny black bugs all over the counter and across the floor. I had to put on my glasses before I realized what it was. I learned to cover it and was amazed if the house was quiet you could hear those seed pods popping when dry enough. I then realized how some plants become invasive.

Cutting across the years and I am still drying seeds. Last year, a neighbor gave me a start of a beautiful blooming vine that is native to this area. It is commonly known as the butterfly pea vine. It bloomed well this summer and I have been saving the long pea like pods for seed. Without a thought, they are laying in a shallow bowl and last night I came home to what looked like mouse pills spread around the kitchen counter. I couldn't believe my eyes as I also have more cats than a person should be allowed. Well, I'm slow... these long slender pods had dried and twisted till they popped and sprayed the tiny pea like seeds.

So that's two types of seeds that I've run into that pop and spray to put on the list. Can anyone add to this seed popping list? LOL

Ruellia ~ all types
Centrosema virginianum ~ butterfly pea vine

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