Stopping seed pods from opening? Unrealistic?

**Skew ChiDAMN!!** · 11th March 2009, 05:26 PM

Not sure where to post this question...

So we have this tree growing over the back fence. Not sure what it is - I'm told it's Silky Oak but I don't think so. It doesn't really matter: not relevant. (I'm not allowed to cut cut it down so I really don't care about it's ID.

)

It has abundant small seed-pods, about 2cm long x 12mm(ish) wide. (Pic 1) When closed these look perfect for use as knurled knobs on small rustic pots, etc. The pic shows one still unopened and a couple after they've shed their seeds.

The problem? I wanna stop 'em from opening - if possible - to keep the knurled look. I tried freezing some for a fortnight, but after a mere couple of days out of the freezer... (Pic 2)

They've actually opened up wider than the natural, unfrozen ones!

Any ideas? I've a feeling this is gonna be a losing battle...

**Caveman** · 11th March 2009, 06:25 PM

(Is a Casuarina of some sort.)

Would have thought that if the seed 'cones' were picked quite a bit 'greener' than the one on the left of the 1st picture that they shouldn't open.

Worth a try, but maybe then they won't be quite so knobbly!

Cool idea for using them

.

**ElizaLeahy** · 11th March 2009, 06:30 PM

http://www.cuyamaca.net/OH170/Plant_..._9-27-99_7.jpg

You shouldn't have any shortage of material to experiment with!

I can't think of anything that will stop a seed pod from opening - that's it's only function in life, after all.

Try microwaving?

Picking green and letting dry?

Covering in CA? Then let's see the suckers open! heehee

**dai sensei** · 11th March 2009, 07:27 PM

Ah Sheoak pods - mine opened up too, not sure if you can stop it, but I wanted them to. I filled the openings with copper/brass filings with CA for my seed collection pens (see here 3rd & 4th photo). I have more to make more, but the next batch will have metal separators this time between the pods, rather than just butt joint.

**joe greiner** · 11th March 2009, 11:43 PM

CA and/or nuking would be worth a try, and/or soaking in DNA (metho?). Please keep notes, and report back to the committee.

Cheers,
Joe

**glenn k** · 11th March 2009, 11:51 PM

you could embed them in resin

**Skew ChiDAMN!!** · 12th March 2009, 12:13 AM

It's a casuarina, no question; I just dispute the variety.

The bark's not quite right for a Silky Oak and the seed pods are just slightly different.

Gathering the pods while they're still green sounds like the most viable option. Pity I'll have to wait another 10 months to put it to the test. Wish I'd thought of it two months ago.

Elizah? You're spot on about having plenty to play with!

Sadly, microwaving showed that they pop like popcorn - but aren't as tasty. When they didn't start smoking first, that is.

**Rum Pig** · 12th March 2009, 08:36 AM

I like what Neil has done

I have no idea how to stop them from opening.

If freezing accelerates the opening and microwave pops them how about a slow roast

Just an idea

**Harry72** · 12th March 2009, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by glenn k

you could embed them in resin

Cast it into some small dia pvc pipe

**NeilS** · 12th March 2009, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

It's a casuarina, no question; I just dispute the variety.

The bark's not quite right for a Silky Oak and the seed pods are just slightly different.

Thought Silky Oak is Grevillea robusta http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grevillea_robusta that has pod-like seeds, whereas Casuarina is a different genus with cone-like clusters like Skew's, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casuarina

Soaking in CA is where I would start.

Neil

**echnidna** · 12th March 2009, 10:42 AM

I wonder how soaking them in metho with a bit of roundup added would go.
Though they may swell as I would expect them to swell in water

Soaking them in lacquer thinners for a few days might kill the germination process
I doubt thinners will cause any swelling. (or maybe soaking in turps)

**RETIRED** · 12th March 2009, 10:46 AM

Pickled pods?

**Skew ChiDAMN!!** · 12th March 2009, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by NeilS

Thought Silky Oak is Grevillea robusta http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grevillea_robusta that has pod-like seeds, whereas Casuarina is a different genus with cone-like clusters like Skew's, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casuarina

Soaking in CA is where I would start.

Good catch! Wonder why no-one else caught it?

Dunno where I got Silky Oak from... just having another of my brain-farts.

That should've read: "I've been told it's a Swamp Sheoak." (C. Obesa to be more precise.)

I think it more likely to be a River Sheoak (C. Cunninghamiana), which are plentiful around here.

**glenn k** · 12th March 2009, 02:40 PM

Casuarina has not been an Australian genus for 20 or 30 years they have been moved to Allocasuarina http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allocasuarina
Not only is Grevillea a different species it is a different family Proteacea rather than Casuarinaceae it may even be farther away than that.

**Grumpy John** · 12th March 2009, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by NeilS

Thought Silky Oak is Grevillea robusta ..........

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

.......... (C. Obesa to be more precise.)

..........River Sheoak (C. Cunninghamiana)...........

Originally Posted by glenn k

Casuarina has not been an Australian genus for 20 or 30 years they have been moved to Allocasuarina http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allocasuarina
Not only is Grevillea a different species it is a different family Proteacea rather than Casuarinaceae it may even be farther away than that.

My God, you guys make things complicated

.

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