Southern Bell Pandorea

[DinaJean]

Have had this plant for a month and all the buds so far looked as shown in the picture at top left. This strange bud appeared a couple days ago (pix on bottom right). Does anyone know what is up with that???!!!

[Newt]

It appears what you see is a ripening seed pod.
http://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/...ASMINOIDES.htm

Newt

[DinaJean]

Cool! Do you have a favorite saved you can link me to as to what to do with the pod. I would love to propagate this plant if can be done so through the pod. Thanks Newt!

[Newt]

I just did a google with Pandorea jasminoides + seed and one site says to let pod dry on plant and break open to collect seeds.* Hmm, it also says zones 9 and 10.*
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1079/
http://www.theseedsite.co.uk/db16.html

You can also look up how long it took for seeds to germinate with the different seasons and methods here.* Click on 'Pa'
http://www.theseedsite.co.uk/germination.html

Newt

[DinaJean]

Thank you, Newt. I have been yapping with other Carolina gardeners about their luck with Pandorea . There is supposedly one gardener 2 towns over who mulched very heavily and the vine has come back 2 years in a row. I will analyze the vigor of it come fall and decide then. It is producing flowers now, but has not grown too much foliage, all my other vines are growing like crazy, dont know why this one is so slow. Maybe just its nature, I guess that would be what moderate growth rate means as noted in one of your above links.

[Newt]

I can't remember your hardiness zone, but I'm thinking it's zone 8.* I've found that a plant at the edge of it's hardiness zone will survive several winters if it's grown in a microclimate to it's liking.* What often happens is a really cold snap happens one winter and you never see it again.* You might want to consider cuttings in the fall for insurance.* I've had that happen to me with several plants.*

Newt

[DinaJean]

I will try cuttings in the fall as you suggested, thanks. Will my seed pod be insurance too?

[Newt]

"Will my seed pod be insurance too?"

Yes, as long as the seeds matured.* Wouldn't it be a riot of all your cuttings took and you had to start giving them away?* :shock:*

Newt

[DinaJean]

Well, if that becomes the case, do you want to go on the list?

[Newt]

You are so kind to offer!* :D* For me it would just be one more plant to have to care for over the winter as it won't survive in my zone 7 garden.* I'm out of indoor plant space as it is.* :?

Newt