selfing amaryllids, was: Paramongia weberbaueri

Nhu Nguyen xerantheum@gmail.com
Wed, 15 May 2013 11:47:44 PDT
Hi Ina,

That's interesting and valuable to know. Thanks for sharing with us.

I have not tried this, but I have tried the microwaving method with
some success.
The idea is that microwaving will change some of the protein coating
of the pollen grain, thus tricking the stigma into receiving the
pollen.

There are several ways to deal with microwaving:
1. microwave the pollen of a different species (hopefully killing it)
then mixing it with the pollen of the one you want to pollinate. Then
this is used to pollinate a receptive stigma. This method seems risky
to me because there is such a big risk of making hybrids.

2. microwave the pollen and put it on the stigma.

3. microwave the pollen of the plant you want to pollinate, then mix
it with fresh pollen and pollinate the receptive stigma.

4. microwave the pollen, pollinate the stigma, then a day later,
pollinate with fresh pollen.

I have had success with both 2, 3, and 4 but only anecdotally. I
haven't done any real controlled experiments to see if this actually
works (to rule out self infertility) or which method works best. I
have a Hippeastrum blossfeldiae in bloom that I'm experimenting with.
I'll share the results once it's done.

Note on microwave: In my very old microwave, I do 20-30 seconds. Newer
microwaves tend to me much more efficient and powerful so time will
have to be shortened.

Has anyone had success with these methods or other methods?

Nhu


On Mon, May 13, 2013 at 11:48 PM, Ina <klazina@orcon.net.nz> wrote:
> There was some discussion at one time about needing a second clone to
> pollinate these flowers.



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