I purchased a beautiful yellow/orange brug locally this late summer. It yielded a few blooms. One made it to full bloom, on its 3rd day, I attempted to hand pollinate the flower. I didn't see many pollen powder when I did the hand brush pollination. But ....
This is the brug:
#1
This message was edited Sep 25, 2007 8:23 AM
Its leaves are serrated...
#2
Looking up at the flower....
#3
...today's it looks like this. Is there any chances that there is activity going on ? Any input from experienced growers is greatly appreciated.
Kim
#4
This message was edited Sep 25, 2007 8:30 AM
Most Brugs are self-sterile -- meaning it would take pollen from a different plant to successfully pollenate. Do you have another brug that's blooming? If not, you could maybe ask people here if they have any pollen to send you.
Hi Lily;
Currently I've a white one (seen in the background of above pic.). Which is about to ready to open. Maybe I can collect pollen from it once it does? Then wait until this yellow/orange brug to put on some more blooms later? There are tiny new buds forming. I'm really excited.
Then I'll have NOID #1 x Noid #2 = x2NoID. mystery brug. Yes, I like that idea. lol
So my next question is; I collect the pollen with a clean paint brush. Store it in a plastic envelope in the fridge? That's? Until I'm ready to use them?
There you go, the true mystery brug. :)
Actually, to collect the pollen, you should do some "surgery" and cut off the anthers with the pollen still on it. Let it dry for a few days (I keep mine in my toaster over that I never use), then put in the plastic envelope and store it in the freezer. The pollen is usually viable for up to a year that way. It doesn't need to be thawed to use. Just use your paintbrush and brush the stamen with the pollen, and keep your fingers crossed. :)
I can perform 'surgery' I believe. But, what day/condition is best to collect your pollen? Like I stated above. On 3rd day of bloom, and I didn't see much of the "powder" on its anthers. Other days, very minimal also.
It's best to collect the pollen right before the bloom opens, or just as it is opening. Some have been known to cut a slit up the side of the bloom before it opens to collect the pollen.
One reason you may not be seeing much pollen on your blooms is because of the heat. And sometimes, certain cultivars don't produce much pollen to begin with.
Wooohooo, you mean for me to do a C-section? Ewlk! Humm, my hand start to tremble, and sweat pouring. lol, just kidding.
Thanks for your responses. I love it here at DG when there are so many gardener/mentors like yourself who are so readily to share helpful tips with others.
Kim
I use long tweezers to pull off the anthers.. they come out easy. Be careful not to damage the stigma. I got a cheap set of super long tweezers off ebay.. they are worth their weight in gold.. Have fun!
ZZ;
So that means the procedure if done correctly with "surgical precision". The bloom will survive and goes on blooming? Getting all the answers is half-way there. (of having fun). Oooh I need to get out there before it gets warm again. :-)
Oh yeah, by the way, the best time to pollenate is either late in the evening, or very early in the morning.
It may be to hot right now to pollenate yet the pollen may be tohard from the heat Paul
I'd better get out there (to the garden), and see what my course of action going to be....
I'll keep you posted of its development.
Many thanks,
Kim
Our temp. has improves somewhat here down SE regions. 60'ish night, hi 80-low 90'ish during the days. So it shouldn't be too harsh. Months of July thru early Sept. was absolutely aweful. Paul, I'm just now learning to collect pollen for storage. The actual pollination won't be ready in weeks as I'm waiting for the other brug to rebloom (it's now showing tiny buds - while I've one that's about to unfurl).
This one:
I have Pollen if you need any Paul
Paul;
That's very generous of you to offer. Let's me see how my experimentation goes first. I may take you up on that, if only you let me send you back something in exchange? Say, plumeria's cutting? I've a white NOID plumie that may can use a good home in Fla. This one? I'm debating whether to cut it back before I bring it back indoor this year. It's getting big, but growing horizontally, difficult to have it stake and looks right. (Our weather has proven to be challenging; this one is 3 year old, this is my first year that I've just discover some rust on its leaves).
Yep.. doesn't hurt the bloom.. I read somewhere that it takes the scent away, but haven't noticed that here anyway.
I also read that the best time to try to get pods is Nov. through April.
