Sprekelia howardii "success"?

Doug Westfall eagle85@flash.net
Tue, 11 Jul 2006 17:19:49 PDT
On Friday, June 30, 2006, at 09:40  AM, <sussli@netscape.com> wrote:

> The microwaved pollen is surely dead and completely infertile. However,
> the dead pollen's surface proteins or polysaccharides are still there, 
> and
> they are what one hopes will trigger the proper responses in the 
> stigma to
> allow fertilization by other pollen, not microwaved, that is then 
> applied
> to the stigma.
>
> You mix compatible but dead pollen with live pollen that would 
> otherwise be
> rejected by the stigma. This way you get no unwanted hybrids mixed in 
> with
> your seeds.
>
> Clear as mud?
>
> Jim Shields
> in central Indiana (USA)

I'd like to thank those who recommended this system. I have tried it 
using Sprekelia 'Orient Red' pollen which I microwaved as instructed, 
and mixed it with the S. howardii pollen. We left on a 2 week 
"vacation". Upon our return today, we have a "swollen" seed pod. Now we 
must wait to see if this pod contains seeds.

I have taken pictures and will be trying the germinating system used 
for Hippeastrum seeds unless advised otherwise.

Doug


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