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Heliamphora pollination 101

Heliamphora pollination and pod development

The timing of the stigma being receptive and the release of the pollen do not overlap.
Pollen from one flower is used to pollinate the stigma of another.

flower.jpg

fig. 1​

You will need your harvested pollen and a very small, soft paintbrush.
Be sure to allow frozen or refrigerated pollen to come up to room temperature prior to opening the centrifuge tube (fig. 2)
Failure to do so may cause condensation to form on the pollen.

pollen-4.jpg

fig. 2​

When the flower opens just enough for an insect (Bee) to enter, the stigma should be receptive.
The anthers will be green and perpendicular to the pistil. Their position helps force the petals open and fully exposes the stigma for pollination. The petals being just barely open at this stage reduces the chance of the pollen coated bee missing the target.
The mechanics of the process are quite elegant and sophisticated.

The stigma should be green and globular at the tip. I have seen examples of both singular and multiple globules (fig. 3)

pollinated.jpg

fig. 3​

At this point, apply the pollen to the stigma several times over a day using a very soft paintbrush.
 
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Day 5:
Filaments moving parallel to the pistil
05082015.jpg


Day 20:
Stamen has dropped; the ovary should continue to grow if pollination successful
05232015.jpg


Day 25:
No longer any question :)
05282015.jpg


Day 30:
IMG_20150602_104312.jpg


Day 44:
Swelling is over by this point and seeds are now developing
IMG_0023.JPG


Day 64:
The entire process typically takes 65-75 days
seedpodjuly6.jpg


Day 70:
As the end nears, you will see the pod turn brown and start to dry out.
seedpodjuly12.jpg


Day 71:
The final stage happens fast once it begins, usually just a few days.
seedpod.jpg


Day 72:
Its best to let the pod open naturally until you gain a little experience. The seeds need time to dry first or they are easily damaged.
I was going out of town so I opened this one manually.
seeds.jpg


Couple past hybrids of mine being grown by Pokie22:
15910152924_868584a7fc_c.jpg

15910280574_a574b391d1_c.jpg


Hope this helps, and good growing
Av
 
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Another nice thread Butch! A very educative close encounter of the CP type! :bigthumpup:
 
Thank you so much for teach it
It is very helpful
 
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