[QUESTION] Who knows more about this "double bean"?

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
12/12/2010 10:16

In its third year in our garden this young tree (I forgot the name again although several board members have told me several times...) not only has flowers but suddenly it grows some kind of double bean also! Did anyone see this before? And what will happen to this "double bean"..?!

▶ [ http://is.gd/iBcUU/young_tree_in_our_garden_grows_a_double_bean ].

darrener2


Joined: 30/12/2008
Posts: 187

Message Posted:
12/12/2010 10:44

DC, It is the seed pod. It will probably become more of a 'V' shape as it matures eventaully drying and splitting open to reveal the seeds.

Your next challenge, after remembering the name, is to raise some more plants from these seeds. ;-)

Do not expect them all to be the same as the parent plant as they rarely come to type. The upside of this is that you will get some interesting colour variations.

D2

darrener2


Joined: 30/12/2008
Posts: 187

Message Posted:
12/12/2010 10:45

Sorry about the typo. :-(

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
12/12/2010 10:59

Thank you, darrener2! I'll wait for the 'beans' to show the seeds and then ask for your advise what to do next (i.e. if you don't mind?). Too bad this tree will probably not grow in cold Holland - the seeds would make nice little presents to take home for visitors here!

scruff


Joined: 15/07/2008
Posts: 1070

Message Posted:
12/12/2010 13:04

Its name is Frangipani (Alba). There are 300 varieties & they also come in red, pink & yellow shades in different parts of the world. I first 'met' it in Bermuda. The perfume is fantastic.

We have one in the garden, but it is very slow growing. They are drought & fire resistant

I have never seen a seed pod before. Perhaps it's to do with the very hot dry summer. Plants produce seeds when under stress, although the one in your photo looks fine.

They are much easier to grow from dry cuttings.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
12/12/2010 13:46

Scruff, the tree grows very fast without asking any water in summer. It flowers about 4-6 weeks earlier than a red Frangipani neighbouring the one with white flowers. Maybe they need each other to make seeds? I can hardly wait now (but I will) to see what's inside the seed pod (my "bean"...)! Are the seeds big? Or small? Arrrgh!

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
04/01/2011 09:09

January 4, 2011: Update with bad news... The seed pot is gone before it could show the seeds - our dog "Dixie" went to the gate to say hello to a visitor, waved her strong tail and that was the end of the seed pot... Well, we may be lucky this year again with another seed pot!