- Wed Apr 22, 2009 3:10 pm
#8283
I pollinate at least several times, usually 3-5 times during the 1 - 1.5 days the stigma is receptive. I simply go into the greenhouse several times per day to pollinate. But simply morning and evening would be sufficient I think.
Here are a couple photos from the greenhouse this morning.
A Royal Red flowerstalk:
First bloom opening from a mature flower stalk (lots of fresh pollen visible). I try to get and use the pollen from the flowers shortly after they open, before the insects in the greenhouse disturb it and make most of it fall from the blossom where it cannot be retrieved.
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An update on how the flowering season is ramping up.
linton wrote:Just curious - what tools do you use to hand pollinate (small, fine paintbrush?) and how many times do you pollinate your blooms while they are receptive??Yes, to pollinate I personally prefer a good-quality, soft artist's paintbrush, either round or flat, with bristles about 1 centimeter long. Those work great.
I pollinate at least several times, usually 3-5 times during the 1 - 1.5 days the stigma is receptive. I simply go into the greenhouse several times per day to pollinate. But simply morning and evening would be sufficient I think.
Here are a couple photos from the greenhouse this morning.
A Royal Red flowerstalk:
First bloom opening from a mature flower stalk (lots of fresh pollen visible). I try to get and use the pollen from the flowers shortly after they open, before the insects in the greenhouse disturb it and make most of it fall from the blossom where it cannot be retrieved.
-
An update on how the flowering season is ramping up.
- April 17 -- First bloom opened.
- April 18 -- Another bloom opened. Used pollen to fertilize first bloom.
- April 19 -- 2 more flowers open for total of 3 open, 1 (the first one, well pollinated) closing.
- April 20 -- 13 open blooms
- April 22 (today) -- 43 open blooms