Phil wrote:
>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.
So you will be needing a tuning fork Peter! This caused me
many problems as every music shop tried to sell me an
electronic tuner. Fine for tuning guitars - not much use on
Byblis. Try explaining that to other wise helpful sales
staff. However I found sympathy much help and at last a
tuning fork from those nice people at Chappells of Bond
Street. What is even better they will take your order by
phone and post the device to you. I contacted the Milton
Keynes shop (in the UK BTW) on the following telephone
nomber: 01908 663366
Tuning forks come in all shapes and sizes (not to mention
keys) the important thing is that the fork is small enough
to touch the flower parts. My fork is a bit over 12cm in
length a '659 E fork' made by John Walker England, and does
a smashing job.
>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.
Yep - the flowers I self pollinated failed to set seed. I
was informed that you may get a couple of seeds by crossing
two flowers on the same plant - though my experience of this
is very limited.
>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.
Why Mister Wilson you should have told me as I've been up to
my eye balls in flowers all Summer. Should have some more
flowers open at the week end if you and Peter need some
pollen - any one else out there need some whilst I'm out
with my tuning fork?
Regards
Loyd