I've had Brugs for years and in Oct of 07 put them in a heated portion of my barn. Temp is around 50 degrees and only have sunlight from three east windows. I have never had pods before. Now, low and behold now I have three on two different plants. What insects could have pollinated them that couldn't before outside?
I have over thirty plants so parentage will be difficult. There are only a few insects in with them ( a couple mosquitoes, maybe a fly or two and a couple spiders). All of which there are plenty of in the summer months outside.
Also, what do the pods look like when they are ready to harvest? Ellie
Brug pod
Hi velcro58, I'm too a newbie at raising brugs. And I'm running into the similar situation with my one particular brug being wintered indoor. Have you seen my thread on the seed harvesting?
Male mosquitos pollinate plants. Flies I suppose, could accidently do it too.
Other thinks spider can accidentally pollinate with their crawling action thus spread pollen? In my case, I may have spider indoor. No mosquitoes since outside temp. was pretty cold?
Sphinx moths are good Brug pollinators. Bees might have done it too. A few flies will act as pollinators, but that's s usually with very foul smelling flowers. If several Brugs were blooming at the same time you won't be able to tell who the pollen parent is. It will have to remain a ? The pod is ready when the stem turns yellow and dries up.
You should also watch the pods for soft spots. I have had several start to get mussy and the stem would still be green. Just check the pods every few days and watch for changes, turning yellow/brown or soft. Once you pick them split them open and spread the seeds out on paper toweling and let them dry a few days.
I am still wondering what might be the reason that they don't seem to pollinate outside in the summer months. I keep them out of the wind for the most part, so you would think a lot of different insects could do the job.
I can't wait to see what the pods bring me thank you all so much for the advise. Right now I have rootings coming out of my ears from last falls prunning!!!! Thanks again!!
Velcro58; For a start, you can try to add Pentas to your butterfly garden. For Pentas is a host-plant to this currious looking Tersa Sphinhx Moth. I raised one indoor last summer, and the experience was a delightful one. The moth is nocturnal in nature, they help polinate our brugs. Wondering why I've brug seedpods coming out of my ying yang this year for the first time in years....also hand polination is easy too. :-)
Kim
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