Pollinating Cephalotus...

Gary (garko@sfsu.edu)
Fri, 2 Aug 1996 17:35:46 -0700 (PDT)

Hi, I'm new to this group and would like to test the waters by requesting
advice on how to pollinate my Cephalotus. It's blooming for 2nd time in
3 years with two flower stalks rising from a cluster of 5 or 6 rosettes.
The first time it bloomed, it sent up a single flower stalk and even
though I pollinated the flowers using a 000 sable brush, none of the
blooms set seed. Not having access to a greenhouse, I find providing a
humid environment for a flower stalk that rises far above the rim of the
gallon jar I have it in almost impossible, and the flowers seem a bit
dry. This time, I introduced a drop of water to each bloom as I
collected and deposited pollen from flower to flower. So far, I haven't
noticed any signs of the ovaries swelling. On the other hand, none of
the flowers I have done this to have showed signs of fading, like they
have in the past. Before, they just browned and dropped. This time,
they're still green. Ordinarily, how long does it take for fertilization
and for the seed to develop?

BTW, I am ashamed to say (especially after reading past postings regarding
Peter Paul's Nurseries) that I obtained my Cephalotus, along with Drosera
binata "multifida" and Drosera capensis from this mail order company.
Each "plant" looked like it was about to wither and die when I first
opened the package--especially my Cephalotus which looked like a twig with
a brown bud on the end. I was VERY disappointed. But very soon after I
planted them, they took hold and have provided me with a profusion of
plantlets and shoots. Only the D. binata has not bloomed, but then I'm
growing it on my windowsill with only the atmospheric humidity. I have
propagated my VERY vigorous D. capensis simply by yanking out plant
shoots and plopping them into pots of peat/sand with a top layer of
sphagnum. No hormone, no bottom heat. They're thriving. I guess the
moral is that these wonderful plants seem to transcend the inadequacies
of human commerce, and in the future, I'll investigate the nursery before
making my purchase.

Thanks,
Gary