Question
I have recently moved into my old homestead house where i grew up and my mother had planted some clivas. these plants have recently flowered and now i notice there are some round ball like seed pods where the flower was. can you please help me are these seed pods as they are staying green now for some time.I am very keen to try to grow this plant from seed if possible.If these are seeds how long do i leave them on the plant as the nasty black birds are pruning them off.  yours truly  C Lind  Sth. Aust.

Answer
Once the seed pod forms and swells, you can prune them from the plant. Store the pods in a paper bag for at least a week. You can then gently dislodge the seeds and then store them in a sealed plastic bag or tupper ware container for for at least 4 months in a cool location. The back of a refrigerator is an ideal location. This will simulate the dormancy period needed prior to germination. You can then sow the seeds and treat them like any other seedling until you transplant them into the garden.

Good luck, and have a great weekend.

Mike