Hippeastrum question
Diana Chapman (Sun, 29 Apr 2018 08:38:07 PDT)

I have about 50 species of Hippeastrum and, naturally, I want to
propagate them.  The only one I have been successful with self
pollination is H. parodii, none of the others have ever produced viable
seed.  Some look like they are producing a seed pod, but the seeds are
not viable.  Crossing is a bit hit or miss, some will be successful,
others not.  It is my understanding they have to have a compatible
number of chromosomes to be successful, and there is variability in
Hippeastrum in this respect, but most of my crosses do work out.

Diana
Telos Rare Bulbs

Hi,

Wikpedia says

"Some species, such as the Uruguayan Hippeastrum petiolatum, are
sterile and unable to produce seeds. H. petiolatum is a sterile
triploid that reproduces asexually, producing many bulbils around the
mother bulb. These are light, and easily carried on the surface of
water ensuring distribution of the species during the rainy season.
Other species such as Hippeastrum reticulatum are self-pollinating,
reproducing by distributing seed. Although this does not guarantee
genetic diversity in natural populations, it is widely used by
colonising species. These two examples are not however typical of the
genus, which commonly reproduces through allogamy. One mechanism that
limits self-pollination is that of self-incompatibility by which seeds
are only produced by pollination from other plants.[67][68]
Furthermore, the plant generally releases its pollen about two days
before its stigma is receptive, making cross-pollination more
likely.[67] Pollinators include Humming birds in subtropical areas,
and moths.[30]"

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