Re: Byblis pollen production
Phil (cp@pwilson.demon.co.uk)
Sat, 5 Oct 1996 19:35:34 GMT
In your message dated Friday 4, October 1996 you wrote :
> A query to any Byblis experts out there. My Byblis gigantea is
> flowering, and I'd like to make some seed. I seem to recall that
this
> one isn't self-pollinating, but I don't seem to be able to find any
> pollen in the funny bundle of yellow cones that must be the stamens.
> Do I need a tuning fork or something to tease out the pollen a la
> Heliamphora? Or perhaps I should dissect a stamen, but they're
awfully
> close to the stigma which is very fragile-looking. I wouldn't want
to
> damage it.
> I'll be away for the weekend, but I'll catch up with any replies
> on Monday. TIA for any advice,
>
> Happy growing,
>
> Peter
>
>
> snail:Peter Cole,17 Wimmerfield Cr.
:mailto:carnivor@bunyip.demon.co.uk
> Killay, SWANSEA SA2 7BU, WALES
:http://www.angel.co.uk/flytrap/index.htm
> vox:+44 1792 205214 :Tissue Culture Kits for sale
>
>
Peter,
You need to use a tuning fork to get at the pollen in this species.
Strike the tuning fork and touch the side of the stigma with it. If
you have got it right pollen should be sprayed in a fine strem coating
the lower petal. I would guess in nature the pollen is aimed to cover
the back of the pollinating insect.
Scrape a small amount of pollen using (in order of personal
preference)a small knife, tweezers or a brush coating the stigma. Be
warned though, that I have never got a B. gigantea to self fertilise.
This year I have acquired a few more plants but so far none have been
obliging enough to flower at the same time to enable me to make
crosses.
--
Phil Wilson
(cp@pwilson.demon.co.uk)