Saving Madagascar Periwinkle seeds

Does anyone know if the seeds from Vinca are still viable if the pods were picked green? I've picked a few green ones and they went ahead and seemed to mature. They all popped open, but now I'm wondering about viability. I have a lot of pods I'd like to pick before the first frost gets here, but don't know if it's worth it or not.
Thanks, Sherri

I've answered my own question. I did a seed viability test using a wet paper towel folded up into a ziploc baggie. I used the seeds from one pod that had been picked very green.

On the third day, about 50% of the seeds were sprouted and on the 5th day about 80% of the seeds were sprouted.

I believe you can pick those seeds very green so that you don't have to look for the yellow ones that are about ready to burst. They will go ahead and ripen and still be viable. I'm guessing this is why the markets are flooded every spring with this plant. It's really easy to get viable seeds from green pods.

I usually pick them green but when you can just start to see the black seeds within the pod - it's good to know that you can pick them even greener.

Thanks for the info!!

Onalee

Only to a point though. I have learned that you need to make sure they are a little on the fat side and fairly firm. The limp skinny ones didn't even pop open for me.

You just reminded me I need to get on mine!! LOL

cherishlife, will you have seeds to spare?

oh yeah, want me to put you on my tradelist?

sure. :) I got your email

I want to re-emphasize that you can't pick them too green. The last bunch I picked, about half of them did not mature and pop open, they just dried up. This time I focused on only picking the *bumpy* ones, and the really healthy full ones. We'll see what happens.

Oh, I've also learned that you can wait until the end of the season to pick them. A few will pop open during the year, but I have found that the majority of them are ready right before frost.

I had great success picking full healthy pods after our first light frost. I could really see them well because the burned leaves were drooping, leaving the pods sticking up in full sight. The pods are popping open pretty good now so a little frost didn't hurt them.