Removing spent blooms - Silver Blade Evening Primrose

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JudyHNM Albuquerque, NM(Zone 7b) Apr 21, 2015

I am growing these primrose in Albuquerque, NM. On the stem that's attached to the bloom, I have noticed that there is an oval "sack/bulge" at the base of the plant. Do I remove that "sack/bulge" when I am removing spent blooms or do I leave it. I don't know what it does.

Thanks, Judy

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Sequoiadendron4 Lititz, PA(Zone 6b) Apr 21, 2015

It would be best for you to post a picture of your dilemma. I'm having trouble envisioning a sack/bulge at the base of the plant.

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JudyHNM Albuquerque, NM(Zone 7b) Apr 21, 2015

Here's the picture with a yellow arrow indicating the "bulge" I am asking about.

Thumbnail by JudyHNM Thumbnail by JudyHNM
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Sequoiadendron4 Lititz, PA(Zone 6b) Apr 21, 2015

Well I have no clue. I tried to find something similar online and other than a seed pod at the top of that stem, I don't know about the base. If you're removing the spent bloom, you might as well remove the mystery item as well. I don't think it's anything malicious though.

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JudyHNM Albuquerque, NM(Zone 7b) Apr 21, 2015

Thanks for your response. The first time I removed the spent blooms, I left the "pod" on half of them and cut it off on the other just to see if it would make a difference!

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Sequoiadendron4 Lititz, PA(Zone 6b) Apr 21, 2015

Yeah that's a good way to experiment. Please write back if you come to any conclusions :)

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altagardener Calgary, AB(Zone 3b) Apr 22, 2015

The object in question is the ovary which develops into the seedpod. The swollen bumps are the seedpods. In Oenothera, the ovary is often quite a ways below the showy flower parts, connected by long tubules. If you're deadheading for the purpose of controlling seeding, then you'd need to remove the seedpods at some point before they dry and disperse seed.

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JudyHNM Albuquerque, NM(Zone 7b) Apr 22, 2015

Thank you altagardener.

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Sequoiadendron4 Lititz, PA(Zone 6b) Apr 22, 2015

Thanks for the info!

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