Posted by Gus on 12/22/2008, 4:31 am, in reply to "Re: Eucalyptus deglupta (Rainbow Eucalyptus)" Link: Eucalyptologics: Eucalyptus Seed - Harvest it Right
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Hey Sheri 
This is information for a different eucalypt species, but a similar process happens for them all, so it might be of help to understand how it works.
Fig. 1: Different simultaneous stages of the reproductive cycle and Eucalyptus seed maturation process in a standing Snow Gum Eucalyptus tree.
You could collect seed pods bearing viable seed before the flower buds of a certain year are in bloom, but in such a case, the seed pods bearing seed are from a previous year. They bloomed first as flowers, were pollinated and seed started to develop within the woody "fruit".
For E. deglupta it is the same, just it might happen faster (tropical species, faster growth, possibly more accelerated maturity).
One thing is certain. If the tree is forming flower buds for the first time (reaching maturity), it is impossible to harvest any seed before the flower buds bloom. But next year you already have one seed crop in the way, and a new batch of flowers ready to bloom.
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