I don't know about the seed pod, Pam. My cassia tree's pods did the same thing this year. They never did "ripen" on the tree, and I do not know as yet whether they will be viable after I pulled them off green. I do have two very healthy Pride of Barbados that I grew from seed.

Tonya, I'm so happy your Pink Pride of Barbados made it! It should bloom this year and we'll get to see what the flowers look like. I've given up hope, at least for the little Pink Prides in pots :-( but am keeping the vigil for the thigh high ones that are in the ground even though there is not the slightest sign of life yet. The orange/red ones have been slow to start, but look like they will make a complete recovery. But I have seeds of several colors and I think it is warm enough to start them now :-) Where is Marcie? I wanted to trade seeds with her.

Update on the seeds I covered with boiling water, rinsed in cold water and placed between damp paper towels which were rinsed every day.. Eight days out and one of six seeds is swollen and has a root. The other five look the same as they did at the start. It seems that nicking the seeds, (I do it with kitchen scissors) allows moisture to enter the seeds more uniformly. With nicking, boiling water, sanding, etc. they will sprout faster, but given time and moisture they will sprout without treatment. Happy gardening!

Hi Xtal! Below is a thread about Pride of Barbados surviving last winter. Pink Prides are mentioned in the thread also. I've never seen a bloom on the pink ones, but from the photos they appear to be as large as the red/orange ones. There used to be a thread about them on the Florida forum, but it must have fallen off the bottom. They were not having much success with them either. I have some seeds for the pink and also for the pure yellow and cream colors that Barbra gave me so I'm going to try again next spring. Xtal, I'd suggest that you wait for the warm weather of spring to sow the seeds. I sowed seeds in the fall one year and tried to keep them going on a sunny window sill, but they all languished and finally died. They seem to want very warm soil for their roots to get going. Even the red/orange ones don't emerge until late in spring. But if someone had a very warm greenhouse and a way to provide bottom heat they might do okay. Keep us posted on how yours are doing after you sow them. I wish us all luck with them next year. They sure are pretty! Here is a link that might be useful: Pride of Barbados survive?