I have the lilac datura and the black currant one. The seed pods are so different. The lilac have spikes that are 'OUCHY' and the black currants are smooth. I`ve collected the lilac ones in the past but this year is a first for the currant datura. Right now they are the size of golfballs, but look like they aren`t even close to cracking open. Don`t want the frost to get them. AND I DO WANT THESE SEED PODS VERY MUCH!! Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Greenpassion, That is normal for them. When they open I remove from the mother plant, open the pod and collect the seeds, allow them to dry then store for next years crop. There are in excess of 50-100 seeds in each pod. If you wait for the pod to open on it's own you may loose seeds to mould. pa

It sounds like your seeds are ripe. If the pod isn't completely dry I'd keep it in a paper bag and let it finish drying. The paper bag will allow air circulation and contain the seeds. If it's dry just split it open and take the seeds out. Lay them on some paper to make sure they dry out completely before you store them. Daturas might actually be a tender perennial. I grow them as annuals but did send a double purple plant to a friend in FL before the cold set in here and it's still growing and blooming for him. They are just so easy to grow from seed that nobody bothers to try wintering them over in colder zones. If your plant is already dead or dying I doubt that it will come back to life but you can just sow more seeds in early spring. I usually start them inside in late winter because our frost date isn't until early May. Karyn PS: I don't think the photo in the first post is available anymore. All I see is the red x too.

Your pods are fine. As they dry they will get lighter and eventually start to crack open. If you don't want the seeds to fall out you can wrap the pod in a fine mesh, or keep checking them and harvest just as they start to open. The seeds will be smooth and pale brown at first but will dry dark and wrinkly like the ones in your picture. As long as they have some thickness to them I think they can sprout - nothing ventured... Plant them 1 inch deep in pots and leave outside all winter, they should sprout in early spring. I have had some luck with pods which were broken off before they had a chance to mature, so don't worry. Chad