Question
I have a gorgeous red lace leaf which I allow to grow as nature designed. For
the first time I found small red-orange-yellow winged/airplane-looking
things growing all over the tree. They remind me of the large similar looking
ones we found as kids and stuck to our upper lips as pretend mustaches.
Are these pods or seeds or something I can germinate and grow with my
granddaughter? How do I do that? They are tiny little mystery miracles.
Thank you.

Answer
Hi Kyp,
Thanx for your questions.  The structures you speak of sound like seed pods to me.  Allow them to fall from the tree and dry out.  Then plant the seeds 1/2 inch deep in good potting soil and keep moist but not soggy.  Put the pot inside a plastic baggie and put it in the fridge for 90 days.  These seeds need a cold treatment in order to germinate.  The damp, cold causes a hormone to activate once the seed is exposed to warmth again.  So, after the 90 days in the cold, return the pot to a warm, sunny area and the seeds should begin germinating in a couple of weeks.  Allow the seedlings to get strong enough to the point that you can gently prick them out (about 3 or 4 inches tall) and plant them in separate pots.  After all danger of frost is past, put the potted seedlings outdoors in a shaded protected place for about 10 days and then they can be planted in full sun.  I hope this helps.
Tom