Black Dragon seeds?

Are BD seeds viable? I have always snipped seeds off so the plant did not waste any energy making seeds but we were away for a week and I came back to these huge globby looking seed pods. Should I snip or save them?

Hi Ardesia,
In my experience with the BD they are usually large dummy pods with no seeds. But who knows yours may be a lucky one. They usually end up rotting. On all of the BD's I usually pluck them off. Hope this helps.

P.S. If it does actually produce seeds it is very doubtful that you would get black dragons but you may get something cool looking

Thanks Robert, I had moved most of my hibiscus off the deck and the only one left nearby was a June's Joy. Frankly, that combo sounds more like a nightmare. LOL

I suspect it will be like you said and the pods are dummies. I remember this plant making lots of pods last year but I snipped them all.

Ardesia, a seed pod containing viable seeds usually is smooth and rounded . . but even smooth ones can be empty. Gnarly ones like show in your photo are virtually always empty but can hang on for months, probably tying up phosphorus that could be stimulating new flowers.
Off with their heads!
;-)
Hybridizers learn quickly that, like people, not all hibiscus are good parents.
Nearly all have viable pollen (equivalent of sperm), but not so many make viable seeds reliably. And you will never get another Black Dragon by growing its seeds; genetics of these flowers is just too complex.
peace,

Barry

Thanks Barry,

I was not absolutely sure that it would not produce and did not want to give the wrong answer but you have answered some of my questions as well.

Take Care,
Robert

Off with their heads it will be !!!!!!
(not that Phosphorus is a problem here where we have close to toxic levels.)

Thanks guys.