I am not sure why it did not work. When did you do that? Lachenalia aloides flowers in late winter.
I would think it does not matter which tool you use to transfer pollen. As long as you did transfer. Did you see the pollen on the paintbrush? I noticed that in some Lachenalia flowers the stigma is visible, in others not. It might be worthwhile dissecting a flower to see where exactly is what. I agree that there may be some degeneration especially due to virus infection in plants that have been propagated vegetavely over a long time. Even more important to raise new stock from seed, the difference in vigor and flower quality is amazing. I do not think Lachenalia is self sterile: there must be another reason for your failure.
Uli
I would think it does not matter which tool you use to transfer pollen. As long as you did transfer. Did you see the pollen on the paintbrush? I noticed that in some Lachenalia flowers the stigma is visible, in others not. It might be worthwhile dissecting a flower to see where exactly is what. I agree that there may be some degeneration especially due to virus infection in plants that have been propagated vegetavely over a long time. Even more important to raise new stock from seed, the difference in vigor and flower quality is amazing. I do not think Lachenalia is self sterile: there must be another reason for your failure.
Uli