Re: Picking seeds before mother nature does.

From: SNALICE at aol.com on 1997.06.08 at 16:16:13(810) Hello Simon, >>>>we grow Arum italicum pictum here in England (Zone 9, probably) and the fruiting head, which is forming now, stays upright until it turns bright orange and, eventually, the berries drop off the still upright peduncle.<<<< +More Have you ever noticed a brown ring around the peduncle just under the fruit? It is about 3/8" wide, is indented, looks pitted, and is in the shape of a crown (wider on one side than the other with the point down.) The rings on both peduncles look the same, even in shape. Sow bugs hang out at the base of the peduncles, and under some copper strips I put down around the plants to keep snails and slugs away (electrolysis). I have never noticed any snails and slugs around them, but I think the sow bugs like it for cover. I know sow bugs can do some real damage, but I have never caught one on that part of the stem. Now that the peduncles are pitted, I am wondering if this allows moisture to penatrate the stem, perhaps allowing it to rot. This may be why the smallest one tipped over. It was soft, as though it had rotted where it was pitted. The few fruits that were there, maybe 4, went ahead and turned orange after it had slumped, so I pinched one, and it had a small white seed inside. Is a white see a good seed? The fruit clusters that are left, are much larger, with many more fruits, and the peduncles are still well able to hold up the fruit. The fruit on top seems to be turning a lighter green. Is this the start of turning orange, or are they turning orange prematurely? These plants were roughly transplanted while in the blooming stage, and even though the leaves died, the inflorescences still developed fruit. Nice large fruit! >>>>I would try to leave the seeds to develope naturally if at all possible,<<<< So it would be better to let them fall over and see if they turn orange before I pick them? Or/and pick them after the peduncle has fallen, whether they are orange or not? >>>>try sowing the seeds that have formed<<<< At what point is a seed considered formed? What is your method of washing the seed? I am in zone 9 also....on the North Pacific coast. A lot of questions, I know. I really appreciate the help! Thank you, Sue

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