Seed Pod Maturity Question

[Rick Goodenough]

I have a question for those who hybridize and grow snowdrops from seed. Does this pod look to be ready for harvest?  This pod is from a plant that Martin has already advised as likely sterile and that the pod will likely not contain viable seeds.  In the unlikely off chance that there are seeds, does it look to be ready to harvest and plant?

This is a selfed pod from G. ‘John Gray’ and the cross was done December 29, 2013. The plant was in a cold but sunny garage window all winter and it looks like the seed pod is ripening as it was green up until the past week. Thank you.

[mark smyth]

I think the pod is empty. It should be fat and green if it contains seeds

[Martin Baxendale]

No, there won't be any seeds in it. A pod with fertilised seeds would be much fatter and would still be green, not turning yellow at this early stage.

[mark smyth]

I just went out to take some photos

empty seed pod - Galanthus
seeds forming - couldn't find a Galanthus pod. This is a Leucojum

[Rick Goodenough]

Mark and Martin,

Thank you both very much. I will have one less chore in the garden Ha ha.  I appreciate the opportunity to ask my beginners questions of you with such broad experience in growing snowdrops over the years. Have a wonderful weekend.

[mark smyth]

Rick I rarely get seeds because of the lack of bees at snowdrop time but when I do get seeds the pods aren't ripe until the foliage is yellow. Martin will know better

[David Pilling]

There are photos of how (some) snow drop seed pods ripen here:

http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Galanthus#nivalis

It takes quite a while for seed pods with viable seed in to ripen - well into June.

[Rick Goodenough]

There are photos of how (some) snow drop seed pods ripen here:

http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Galanthus#nivalis

It takes quite a while for seed pods with viable seed in to ripen - well into June.

Hello David,

Thank you for the fine images of galanthus seeds. Your terrific time-lapse photography demonstrates how the ripened seeds actually are released from the pod ...thank you very much.

[Uwe]

I hope the seed pods develop good . There are different crossings.

[Uwe]

The first seed pods I have today with tea filter wrapped as protection against slug: