The artificial insemination worked. A Q-tip and my humming "Deep Purple."
Now what do I do, and when?
TW seed pods
Nice going, Brad! Did you pollinate it with pollin from a different flower or from the same flower? I didn't know this until recently, but apparently, some plumerias set seeds by self-pollinating! In other words, the pollin falls back on its own ovaries. Now, you wait! I think you wait until it starts to turn brown on the plant before harvesting. You may want to put a stocking around it to catch the seeds in case it opens on its own. Do you know how long it has been there? I think they take about nine months to ripen, but someone else would know better than I do. Where is my other friend Brad? He will know.
You mean some other seed was lurking around while I went through my routine? WOW.
I did my bit with my prolific white pollen.
Now I'll have to wait and do a DNA -- I guess.
I don't know how long it's been there. I just returned from five months in the North -- so who knows.
How big are the individual seeds? What kind of a stocking? Do I just wait while it hangs on the branch ?
I went through this with my children. (Not the DNA part.) I don't know if I'm young enough and strong enough to go through it again.
LOL, Brad! You are so funny! I wish I had more answers for you. I've never had a seedpod before, but here are some interesting links:
http://www.plumeria101.com/seeds101.html
http://www.io.com/~jrm/plum006.htm
http://www.plumerias.com/fdx/fsget/mcps/archive/data/Plumerias/2005/10/09/10792-EggenbergerTranscribedSCPSrev2.pdf
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/OF-31.pdf
I think that, if a flower has pollinated itself, it will probably look very similar, if not identical, to it's pod parent. If your pollen took, it will have characteristics of the pollen parent. Some cultivars are prolific seed setters, and those are the ones self-pollinating quite a bit. As you know, those sex organs are hard to reach for many natural pollinators. The seeds can be a half inch long to an inch and have a papery tail which gives them a chance to spread in the wind. I often use a knee-high stocking (like some women wear) or netting of some sort to wrap around the pod. I think you have to leave it on the branch until it is ready to be harvested, and I think it will change color when it is ready. I think it will get even longer and fatter if I'm not mistaken. I will send a p.m. to Brad (ncasselberryfla) and see if he knows about this.
I just sent a note to Brad so maybe he will post here what he knows about seed pods. I know he just got a nice one on his Mary Moragne. Roger would know too if he sees this.
Clare~
I cut off the end of one of my DDW's panty hose -- leaving it loose, and an inch or so longer at each end of the pods -- and tied it together, and to the tree itself.
That sounds good, Brad. Now they won't get away if the pod should ripen before you see it. From what I understand, it takes nine months for a seedpod to ripen. If it started to form after you left for NJ, then it has got four months more to go! Congrats! Then you can sow all those babies and see what flowers come of them!
Clare~
We'll share the seeds. You have a better chance of seeing them blossom.
Brad
Brad, you're sweet. I've had seedlings bloom in 21 months, but two years is the average. I would love some seeds, but you should sow some too, and we can grow them together:-) What else do you have to do in Florida besides play golf? LOL!
ETA on seepods is about 8-9 months, Brad. You know when they are getting ready as they start losing their lusterous look and start looking dull; then they start to split along the seam--sometimes slowly; sometimes very quickly. it is best to wrap the seedpod in an old piece of fine netting, or, even old panty hose (I hear this works wonderfully--LOL)
When the pods pop, the netting catches the seeds before thier little wings carry them away. I have gotten them when they were just beginning to show signs of splitting and picked them; bringing them in the house and onto a cool, dry surface. Then, when they pop open, the seeds mostly stay inside the pod in little rows and can be removed.
Brad
Thanks, Brad!
Clare~
I was born in 1923.
I don't even buy green bananas.
But I'll try.
Ncass~
Brad;
Thanks. They're tucked in, and I'll keep watching.
But. how long (or big) do they get -- each pod, I mean.
Brad
P.S. My Brad is short for Bradford. What's yours?
Brad,
Mine is Bradley. LOL
I have seen seedpods as long as 12 inches and as short as 8 inches. I have seen pictures of them much longer than 12 inches too. I guess it depends.
Good Luck! Oh--by the way---My mom was born in 1925 and is a very active 80 year old! She has made it through some tough surgeries over the years and bounced right back incredibly. She is pretty darn active and she looks much younger than her age. She is widowed since 1989 when my Dad passed. Are you single??? LOL
Brad
LOL, Brad, and what an adorable 82-year-old you are. Go ahead and buy green bananas. You're going to live forever.
LOL, younger Brad! Older Brad has a very dear wife, and he just cut up her pantyhose in order to protect his plumeria seedpod! I'm glad to hear that your mom is doing well:-)
ncass~
Brad:
She's still a kid.
Keep her healthy, and around.
Clare~
Remember "It ain't necessarily so"?
And who calls that livin', when no gal will give in, to no man what's 900 years..
LOL, Brad! I'm afraid I had to look that up on the Internet: http://www.guntheranderson.com/v/data/itaintne.htm
Clare~
Do you know the tune? It's very catchy.
BTW. Did you ever get a blossom out of TW?
Hi Brad! I've never actually seen Porky and Bess and don't know the tune. That's surprising though because I know a lot of show tunes, being active in theater arts and chorus in high school.
My TW didn't bloom for me yet, but it rooted nicely and put on lots of leaves and growth! I'm sure I'll see flowers in the spring:-)
It goes like this:
Da dum ta, da dum ta, da dum.
Be well.
Hi Brad! My seeds are coming along in the greenhouse, and I thought I would post a picture of their progress! Initially, I put them in folded moist/wet papertowels and put them on cookie sheets, and they went outside in the warm sun in the daytime and came inside at night to sit on the stove under a light. (The stove was turned off, but the pilot lights keep the top of the stove warm.) In about three days, the seeds went from being flat to nice and plump, and so I planted them in a community pot. Here are some pictures:
Sometimes, they need a little help getting their coats off, but that has to be done carefully to avoid damaging the seedling (been there; done that).
Here is about nine days later:
Here is a picture taken today, about two weeks from the initial paper towel sowing:
Here is another container:
How do you name them before you know who the father was?
They look great. I'll be back to you when mine pop.
Brad
Hi Brad! I think they name the seeds after the pod parent and not the pollen parent because, really, there is no way to know who the pollen parent is for sure, especially in large nurseries. I think sometimes a flower can self-pollinate before an insect gets there or before artificial pollination is done so there is some guesswork when it comes to the pollen parent in some cases. If a flower is jarred just right, the pollen can fall back on the ovaries. In any case, seedlings are always called "Hybrids of" or "Seedlings of ' ______' " just to avoid any confusion with names. Can't wait to see yours!
The TW's are dark brown -- so they must be well into the 9 month period. The white's are green, so it'll be a long wait -- I guess.
I'll keep you posted -- and make room in your nursery nursey for your share.
Brad
Awe, thanks, Brad. You are so sweet, but I think, if you send me some seeds that I will send them to my friend Kukiat in Thailand. He has lots of land where he is, and I am quickly running out of room. I don't even know where I am going to put all my seedlings which keep popping up more and more every day. I never imagined that I would have such a good germination rate. I think that the humid warm air in the temporary greenhouse probably does them a world of good. It sounds like your Teresa Wilder seeds are ready or almost ready to be harvested.
I keep squeezing it, waiting to feel the splitting open.
Be well
Brad