Question
I removed some magnolia seed pods from a magnolia tree. The pods look beautiful. How do I remove the seeds from the pod without destroying the pod itself? And another question, are the red "seeds" the fruit and the real seeds are inside?

Answer
Hi Kenneth,
Thanx for your question.  The red seeds on the pod are the actual seeds.  They will usually start falling off if you allow the pod to dry somewhat but they will also come off easily without damaging the pod.  The seeds will require a cold period in order to break doramncy.  That means they should be placed in moist soil and allowed to experience a period of not less than 90 days with temperatures at 40 degrees and not higher.  This breaks the dormance and once temperatures get warmer the seed will germinate.  You can plant the seeds in a pot and leave them outdoors if you have cold winters or plant in a pot and seal in a plastic baggie and put in the fridge for 90 days. Return the pot to a warm (70-75 F) area after that.  Keep them in a well lit area.  I hope this helps.
Tom