Expert: C.L. Fornari - 10/20/2004

Question
I live in mid-northern Michigan. I have successfully growing Moonflowers in containers. They have never been outside and have bloomed wonderfully. They have two large pods on them that continue to get bigger each day. They haven't opened to bloom like the stalks do. Do you know what these are? I'm not sure if Moonflowers develop a fruit (not edible of course) or if this pod contains seeds...can you help?

Answer
Roxanne,
I'm glad to hear you have had good success  with moonflowers indoors!  Sometimes this plant is prone to whitefly or aphids inside, so if you notice tiny bugs, or the plants feel sticky, spray with insecticidal soap.

About the pods...  If they are below where the flowers are now, they are certainly seed pods.  If you want to save the seeds, let the pods develop and stay on the vine until they turn first yellowish and then tan.  Once they start to look dried and brown (may be light or dark) you can pick them and put them inside an envelope.  (You can just put the pod in whole - over the winter the seeds will fall out of the pod most likely, and collect in the envelope.)  Put the envelop in a jar and seal with a lid - keep in a cool place until you are ready to sow the seeds in early spring.  

If the moonflower is a hybrid type you may end up with flowers that are a bit different in your seed-grown plants.  Most hybrids don't "come true" from seed.

I hope this helps!
C.L. Fornari
www.gardenlady.com