These appear to be redstemmed EE. They make attractive flowers stalks like this one.
EE I.D. Needed; Also Will This Type of EE be Self-Fertile?
The bract opens and appeared to be very fragile -- which lasted but one day....
Today, there was another flower that is newly opened up....
I could see the pollens within the bract.....
I was also wondering if this type of EE is self-fertile? Or should I collect the pollens and save them to pollinate another similiar EE from the same genus at another time?
Any info./advice is appreciated. I've other buds that are coming up like this one. Perhaps, I can experiment with the next flower that open.
If indeed, this is not self-fertile. What can I cross these pollens with? Any other type of EE?
How do I best store the pollens? In an air-tight tube, will they need to be refrigerated? ect.?
Many thanks in advance for your input.
It is a colocasia, at first I thought maybe Coffee Cups or Big Dipper, but the leaves don't cup up so it isn't them. I'm sure LariAnn or Brian or someone will reply, but I love your pics it IS gorgeous, I love it ;)
Colocasia for sure, perhaps Black Magic or Black Runner
I sure love the black stems, great contrast to the leaves, really brings out the veining..
Thank you, LariAnn for your answers. If indeeded it's a cultivar, that also tells me that it isn't self-fertile. My next task is looking for info. on how to collect and keep the pollens for later use on another type of colocasia.
Also, how does one differentiate b/w 'Black Magic' and 'Black Runner'? These do send out long stolons on top of the ground for mean of self propagation.
Many, many thanks.
Evidently the Black Magic grows in clumps and the Black Runner has the long stolons. Are mature leaves somewhat ruffly on the edges?
Here I'll post a couple pictures of the leaves. This is one of two.
Here is a close up of one of the mature leave.
I see; those are not as dark as the leaves on Black Runner; they are probably very closely related but a different variety of the same morphotype as the Black Runner. As far as saving the pollen is concerned, Colocasia pollen is moist so your best bet is to try crossing with fresh pollen rather than trying to save it. A lot of Colocasia hybridization has been done in Hawaii and many, many cultivars have yet to be released to the market.
Thank you, LariAnn, I'll seetle with the I.D. a relative of the Black Runner Colocasia. Many thanks.
I love your EE Kim, it's unique, maybe "one" of a kind! ;) Those dark stems really draw your eye to it.
This is Colocasia fontanesii tall grower with shinny leaves dark stems and sends out long runners. As far as I can tell the whole thing is sterile pollen flower and all. You can try but I have not had luck at all with it for 2 to 3 years. Their are some very similar forms showing up that maybe different. This form or similar forms have came out of India.
:oP Brian, now you go and put a name to it! I thought she had something unique! lol It reminds me of a bigger flattened out leafed Coffee Cups.
Many thanks, Brian. Actually it's Colocasia esculenta 'Fontanessi'. LOL, Bonnie. Now it really has a real name. Another DGer has dmailed and confirmed that indeeded it's 'Fontanessi' Colocasia esculenta.
Many thanks everyone.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/161712/
