mrbungalow

I am trying a batch of these seeds this year. They have not really interested me before, due to their small size. But I hear this species can be grown and fruited inside in a pot? Is that right? Is it also true that they are moderately cold-hardy?
Also, I am wondering if I get it to fruit inside, will the seeds be viable? I thought I heard somewhere that it is self-pollinating..

Any other reliable info on Velutina would be greatly appreciated.

Erlend

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MediaHound

When I first bought my mat of Velutina, they were fruiting in the pot at the nursery, albeit outdoors, here in South Florida.
I bought one mat and it produced viable seeds, as you can see here by the sprouted Velutina seeds.

These seeds were planted less than one month before the photograph.

The Velutina fruit will peel itself back while still on the mother plant.




Flesh:

Just inside those bulges in the fruit are lots of seeds, but if you're careful, you can eat around them and spit them out. The fruit is delicious to eat out in the yard if you find some.

The bunch stands upright

another bunch




cheers

mrbungalow

Thanks mediahound!

Awesome pictures!

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bigdog

Yes, they will definitely fruit in a pot! We have several at the greenhouses at UT that have already flowered this year, are flowering now, or will flower soon. And I mean 3-5 gallon pots too. M. velutina produces hermaphroditic flowers, so it is self-pollinating. All seeds produced should be viable. Doesn't mean that they'll all germinate though !