Do seed pods need to turn brown on the plant before they are picked, or can they dry off the plant? Does it vary by plant?
There have been several occassions that I've wondered this and today was another. :) I found seed pods on a Cassia that I've wanted but they are still green. I did pick a few but wonder if I'll need to wait and go back.
Collecting seeds
Paige - It may vary by plant. I have heard that it is best to let them turn brown on the plant. But ..... My rule of thumb on seed pods is if the stem connected to the pod is brown and withered, then I pull the pod off and let it dry out in an area on my porch. If the stem is dead, then it can not be providing nutrients to the pod, right? That way I can collect the seeds before they burst and drop to the ground or float away. So far, it seems to work for me.
I usually wait until they turn brown in most cases