Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Pollinating, 0 by Clare_CA

Clare_CA wrote:
Hi shokwave, pollination is covered in the Eggenberger book on plumerias. It is very difficult to do, and only a few of the great hybridizers have been able to do it successfully. My understanding is that the sexual parts are very small and hard to access. The pollen of a flower has to be removed first to make sure that the flower does not pollinate itself by accident. After pollen is transferred, the flower has to be sealed up to prevent natural pollination. The parts are so small that thrips are said to be the natural pollinators. Most pods that occur are a result of either self-pollination or pollination by thrips. Here is a picture of the plumeria parts that Dete took, showing the reproductive parts.

Edited to give Detrick credit for the photo.

This message was edited May 31, 2007 11:56 AM