Beverly: Re: African violet seed pod?

[Beverly Erlebacher]

In article <20000814090149.21997.00001164 at ng-ci1.aol.com>,
SilkEyed <silkeyed at aol.comma> wrote:
>Hi Beverly,
>Can you tell me a little more about this AF seed pod?  Is any special
>preparation for the pod?  Does it have to dry out - on the stalk or elsewhere?
>The flower has finally wilted around the pod and I don't know whether I should
>remove the pod and let it dry, whether I should wait until the stalk wilts or
>whether the seeds should be planted green or dried.

I've never worked with African violets, but the few times I've grown
related plants from seed, I've let the pod mature and turn brown.  After
all, in nature, that's what happens, so it's a good default.

>This is my absolute favorite AF and I'm excited that it may have crossed it
>with a neighbor.  I'd dearly love to try and grow some plants from seed.

It may have crossed with itself, but you should still get a fair bit of
variability in the seedlings.  Btw, if you want to get into this, you
can pollinate almost any plant by hand, just smear some pollen onto the
stigmas.  In many cases the pollen is only viable for a short period of
time, and the stigmas are not always receptive, but it you do enough
smearing, you'll get some pollination.  Alternatively, you can look up
info about the best time and stage of development to pollinate.

I'm no expert, I just mess around with plants sporadically.  Again, I
suggest you check your library and the web for info compiled by people
who are really into this plant.  Try search keys like "African violet"
"Saintpaulia" and "Gesneriad".