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.
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.
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)
fig. 3
At this point, apply the pollen to the stigma several times over a day using a very soft paintbrush.
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.
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.
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)
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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