| Propagation | The plant produces a pod about 8-10 cm long, much resembling a small mango fruit. Allow the pod to ripen on the plant for about 12 months, it will go from green to yellow to brown. Seed can be harvested if the pod is yellow and has become puckered and it has matured on the plant for twelve months. Early harvesting of the seed dramatically decreases the germination rate. The seed will have small tales attached to them (similar to Milkweed or Asclepias species) and are quite mobile when the pods split open, so if the plant is outside you may need to remove the pod prior to opening but after the twelve month maturity date has been reached or using an elastic band fasten a paper bag around the pod once it has yellowed to collect dispersed seed. The seeds are quite small, round, flat and black with a white tail, the tail may be removed to assist in ease of sowing by gently rubbing the seed between your fingers. One should wear gloves for this since members of the Apocynaceae family produce a sap that may be irritable to some. Sow the seed in a flat or pot immediately, since the seed is recalcitrant. Use a sterile seed mix, lightly cover the seed, and cover the flat or pot with a clear cover or plastic bag to retain humidity; plastic germination trays with clear covers are ideal. Germination may take from two weeks to several months. Place the seed flat or pot in a bright disposition and keep the soil moist but not wet, venting if excessive humidity builds up providing a temperature of about 21-24 °C. Once the plants have fully developed true leaves they may be transplanted to individual pots using a citrus soil mix. Germination rates decrease dramatically in relation to seed storage length or harvesting seed prior to the full twelve month maturity date.
Cuttings about 10 cm long and at least three nodes in length from the previous seasons growth are ideal although tip cuttings also produce satisfactory results. Cuttings should be rooted in a sterile potting mix that is free draining, rooting hormone may also enhance success. Heated propagators are ideal but a clear plastic bag secured around a pot will also suffice, maintain a temperature of 18-21 °C, and rooting should occur in about 3-4 weeks. |
| Fruit Description | The plant produces a long fat pod about 8-10 cm long, much resembling a small mango fruit. Allow the pod to ripen on the plant for about 12 months, it will go from green to yellow to brown. Seed can be harvested if the pod is yellow and it has matured on the plant for twelve months. The seed will have small tales attached to them (similar to Milkweed or Asclepias species) and are quite small, round, flat and black with a white tail, about 1.3 cm in size and found in packed bundles of 70-100 seeds. |
