Paramongaia about to flower - request for pollen

Dr Paul Chapman cyrtanthus@blueyonder.co.uk
Fri, 19 May 2006 13:32:42 PDT
Dear All,

Although I have been a member of this list almost since the beginning, most
of you have probably never heard of me.  Unfortunately my workload is such
that, though I try to read all of the postings, sometimes it is several
months after they were sent (I currently have 646 to read!).

However, something is about to happen that I must report, and ask for your
assistance.  My Paramongaia weberbauerii is about to flower.  Living in the
UK, I grow it on a winter dormant cycle - it spends the British winter
dormant in the clothes cupboard, simulating the Peruvian summer, and the
British summer growing in my greenhouse, simulating the Peruvian winter!

I was given the bulb on New Year's Day 2001 by Harry Hay, and it has
flowered once before, either 3 or 4 years ago, I cannot remember.  It is an
offset from the clone from which Paramongaia was originally described, I
believe in Curtis's Botanical Magazine.

When it flowered previously, I tried to self-pollinate it, but no seeds were
set.  I suspect it is self incompatible.  Does anyone have any pollen of
Paramongaia from a different clone, that might enable my plant to produce
seeds?  I would of course share any seeds produced with the pollen donor.

If there is no-one with Paramongaia pollen, I would be happy to try pollen
from Pamianthe, its nearest relative - who knows what might result?

There is no problem in sending pollen to the UK, and I expect the flower to
open in 5 - 7 days' time.  If anyone is able to help, please reply off-list.

Many thanks,

Paul

Dr Paul Chapman, Wallington, Surrey, UK
South London commuter belt suburbia - zone 9a, where we have had more rain
in the last 2 weeks than we had in the previous 6 months.
mailto:cyrtanthus@blueyonder.co.uk



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