Back in the pollination mode.

As the weather cools a little, and I mean a little, it is time to pollinate mandevilla. My stock plants do not set seed in the summer due to high temperatures. Try as I may, pollinated blossoms drop off within a week. Now however, I notice little seed pods happily developing on several recent pollintions.

So being inspired, I now make a few crosses each day before leaving for work thanks to the extra light in the AM due to standard time. What a great way to start a day.

Seeing the baby fruit enlarge and grow is one of life's great joys. Maybe one hybrid will be a real winner. The daily dreams that go along with watching the seeds develop is probably the most fun of the whole process. Once they mature, the seeds need to be cleaned, planted and babied some more. That is work. Also, don't want too many seed parents because they have to be carried in during the freezes. More work. Ahhhhhhh, but more dreams.