cuprea

I got down to ground level the other day to take a good look at this new leaf

and I noticed these flower buds

closer look at flower bud

This morning I noticed that one has opened

on a second bud I cut a window like I've seen Bryan do.

The pollen doesn't seem ripe (no fluff) and the flowers are not open on the second bud. What do I do now? Wait?

That's a beauty Linda!

Linda that flower is calling for pollen. The spath is open and in the window you cut out you can see the female section has sticky sap on it. I would urge you to put any other alocasia pollen on it if you have any or could get some. Cuprea has been crossed only a few times and anything that could have that kind of leaf would be an amazing plant to grow. If you get pollen let me know and I can run you through the steps. Good luck and beautiful plant by the way.

Hi Brian, glad you came by. I have NO pollen. Only hope I have is to capture some pollen from this bloom and use it on another bloom. How long should it take for the pollen to ripen? I have 3 more flowers not as far along as this one. Thanks

Exciting Stuff
Thanks for sharing. We should start an emergency pollen bank, for times just like this.

I've never collected pollen and would like any information on how to do that correctly.

I have an Alocasia Gageana that is going to flower in a few days. Linda, when I collect the pollen, I'll let you know. If you want it, it is yours.

To collect pollen, I make a collar.
I cut out a circle out of stiff paper (about 5" diameter). I then cut out an inner circle, about the diameter of the stem below the bloom. I cut the resulting disk from the outer edge to the inner cut-out. I fix it around the stem below the flower as a collar, securing the cut edge with tape. Usually the pollen falls onto the collar, but to aid it I use a paint brush to push it onto the collar. I store the pollen in a baggie in the refrigerator. I think Brian said it is good for up to a month. Brian, Correct?

ROX

Thanks Rox, I would love to give it a try. I'll make a collar for my cuprea bloom and see if I get any pollen. About how long after the flower opens does the pollen ripen?

RE: the pollen. I can remember how long it took. Sorry. Anyone else know?
ROX

ok, this is what I did. Cut the corner of an envelope

cut off the tip and cut it open

I removed the entire covering (I know it has a name but can't think of it) and placed the collar around it.

I did the same on the other bloom and used a paint brush to transfer pollen from one bloom to the other. The sap on the flowers seemed to pick up something from the pollen end. I'll do it again tomorrow. If I see any pollen that has fallen onto the collar I'll try to save it for another flower.

Have I messed up by cutting off the cover? Am I on the right track or do I need to do something differently?

WOW So Cool ! Your Buds and flowers are beautiful ! Good luck !

Thanks Allison, this is the first time I've tried to get berries. Hope it works.

Hey Linda that pic looks like the Head Ridges of a Klingon LOL Regards Paul

That collar looks good. I think it is OK to cut of the cover, although I have neve done so.
ROX

thats about the best way to collect the pollen once it falls you should get it first thing I usually use a funnel and a test tube. Once I have it I place it in the fridge and it is good for around 1 month. The sooner the better. I would suggest getting any pollen you can I will check to see if I have any flowers coming along also.

Thanks Bryan, does it have to dry before you store it? I don't have test tubes but I do have very small plastic bags, about 1" x 1.5". I have 2 more that have not opened.

does not have to dry it out but it should not be ver wet looking just powdery.

Brian
Is there any way of preserving it to make it last longer, maybe in the Freezer.

The freezer can last longer but I am not sure how long no one has really tested it out I have used some pollen 3 months old in the freezer before and I do believe it took. I may have some flowering coming a long soon I will check if so would you be interested in sending the pollen?

Are you wanting my cuprea pollen for your bloom? I'll be glad to send (if I get any) if you share any resulting seeds with me.

This is bloom 3, love the mid section. I don't see any fluff on the top which is where I thought the pollen was.

closer of the mid section. What is the stuff there? could that be pollen?

and here's the berry section

bloom 4 opened this morning

and bloom 3 that was upright yesterday is horizontal today

Bloom 2 has turned upside down too, so any pollen saved there would be dumped out.

I rethought the collection method and decided to use waxed paper. Still no sign of fluffy stuff

bloom 1 still has berries, but the pollen end is looking pretty bad. Is it my imagination, or are the berries a wee bit larger?

Beautiful Plant! I don't know a thing about them, but it is just Gorgeous .... Love the color of that leaf!

Thanks, I love it too. I have several that I started last year from tissue culture. They do better inside than any of my other alocasias. Most of them are in the gh or in the ground dormant. You have to get your winter entertainment where you can find it :)

You may actually get it to self pollinate sense removing the spath when it usually tightens around the midsection to prevent self pollination. If the berries keep expanding you might have something. Good luck

I'm going to keep watching them. How long does it usually take to develop and ripen?

you will know in a few weeks if it took. If it didnt the stem will weaken and the flower head will shrivel and dry up. If it took it can take around 3 to 5 months for them to rippen completely. They will turn a bright red or orange color and will fall off very easy when ready. I will tell you what to do if you reach this area. Good luck.