“Fantastic!” Seren mused at Minerva's success. “Well done everyone!”

It was a good thing she hadn't planned on them harvesting all of the pods. “Right, everyone retrieve your stools and find a work station,” she announced, indicating the empty benches which skirted the greenhouse in parts. “Thank you West, great job,” she added to the Slytherin. Once West and others were out of the ladders path, Seren pointed it back in the direction it came from with her wand, and it complied... gliding away slowly.

“Once you have a station, I'm going to come around and give you each an umbrella flower pod, your task will be to collect the seeds from within it, in preparation for our next lesson.” Pausing, she ducked her head in the stores cupboard where she'd placed the ones she collected earlier.
“Once you are at your station and I have given you a pod, you may start by pealing back the pod shell. In most cases it will be quit hard as it has lost its moisture, and this will result in it cracking. So remember to keep your gloves on at all times so that you don't cut yourself.” Pod shells could be deceivingly sharp. “Once you have removed the shell, it will be easier to work with the fibrous membrane.”

She paused here, slowly making her way around and dropping a pod on the bench tops.

“To extract the seeds, you will need to comb through the fibrous membrane using your fingers... though this may prove to be difficult wit gloves, I assure you, it's for your own safety, do not remove your gloves,” even if you are tempted... “The fibrous membrane, though it looks soft, has the ability to inflict numerous cuts an they hurt a great deal more than parchment. It may also cause skin irritations and burning sensations.” Need she say more?

“Once you are ready, you may begin.”

Were there any questions? Anyone need help?

OOC: To be eligible for full credit, this activity requires a minimum of 6 posts. 2 for removing the pod shell and 4 for removing the seeds from the fibrous membrane. Please number your posts in the title field as you go along. The lesson will continue in approx 19 hours.