Tropicals & Tender Perennials: how do you know when to take seed pods ?, 1 by Strever

Strever wrote:
Liz you say to "take the pods off when the pod stem (peduncle) turns beigish and the pod softens. Usually about 4 months. If you haven't grown seeds from your own pods before it's a thrill whoever the parents are."

the pods feel soft now to me ? & the stems (peduncles) are no longer green ? one of the pods is getting dry & brown on the tip, plus i have no idea how old they are. can seed pods be different ages ? from different bloom flushes ? can they stay on the plant too long ? there are 7 of them. maybe sacrifice one (the brown tip one) to find out ? if so then what ?

Dick Strever
Addicted Brugie Newbie