Question
I would like to know how to grow mexican jumping beans indoors? I live in Canada.
Any idea about this?
Thank you


Answer
Hi Marlaine,
Thanx for your question.  Mexican jumping beans are the seeds of a plant that grows in Mexico.  The shrub's botannical name is Sebastiana pavoniana.  The reason the beans jump is because a species of butterfly (laspey resia saltitans) deposits its eggs in the flower of the bush.  The larvae grow inside the seeds of this bush and eat the embryo of the seed while creating a home for themselves within.  The seed that has this parasite within it will respond to the heat of a human hand or being moved.  It is a defense mechanism used by the parasite to prevent birds or other animals from eating the seed as when touched it will jerk around and scare off the predator.  So, bottom line is, you will not get germination from a seed that has the caterpillar inside it as it has already eaten the embryo which is the growing part of the seed.  If you would like to grow the bush, it is not hardy in Canada.  Let me know if you would like to know where to obtain seeds of the bush.  The butterfly also, is not indigenous to Canada.  I hope this helps.
Tom