BCSS - Forum

Check below the soil. I am sure it is starting to wake up already and is busy developing roots.
I already have a few Massonia that have just emerged from the ground. Other bulbs (all seedlings in this case) like Drimia and Lachenalia have already followed the good example.

My bulbs are still hiding under a bench or under shade cloth, even though they only catch the morning sun. Even then the soft-leafed ones can end up looking all wilted and limp before springing back up. Not complaining about the climate, mind you, but the bulbs prefer it a bit cooler. I'm looking forward to some winter color while the rest of the collection takes a nap!

Daubenya alba, after 5 years finally old enough for flowers.

Massonia depressa with flecked leaves. Another depressa, supposed to have red flowers. Time will tell... Token Lithops picture

Reviving an oldish thread, my A. spiralis is in flower for some time already, but only now I realised I could actually pollinate it as it's supposed to be self-fertile. Being a good bee, I found the pollen, but have slight doubts which part of the flower is the pistil! Is it (A), or (B) on the photograph below?

Photograph borrowed from https://academic.oup.com/aob/article/110/3/565/2769015

'B' is the ovary. The top of 'A' is where you stick your pollen.

I've just collected the seed from mine - the seeds form very quickly on this species.

Acid John wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 3:03 pm 'B' is the ovary. The top of 'A' is where you stick your pollen.

Yes, I realised I mixed up the terminology a bit, thank you!

After reading Pollination function transferred: modified tepals of Albuca (Hyacinthaceae) serve as secondary stigmas I just hope I didn't waste all the pollen applying it directly to the stigmas!

ralphrmartin wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 6:10 pm I've just collected the seed from mine - the seeds form very quickly on this species.

Anything I should be aware of while pollinating, or is it just "take the pollen from one flower and apply to stigmas of others"? I assume A. spiralis are self fertile, I must have read this somewhere I believe.

Interesting paper MatDz.

MatDz wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 9:48 pm

ralphrmartin wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 6:10 pm I've just collected the seed from mine - the seeds form very quickly on this species.

Anything I should be aware of while pollinating, or is it just "take the pollen from one flower and apply to stigmas of others"? I assume A. spiralis are self fertile, I must have read this somewhere I believe.

I didn't do anything Either some insects got in to the greenhouse, or the plant did it all by itself.

ralphrmartin wrote: ↑Sat May 08, 2021 6:49 pm

MatDz wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 9:48 pm

ralphrmartin wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 6:10 pm I've just collected the seed from mine - the seeds form very quickly on this species.

Anything I should be aware of while pollinating, or is it just "take the pollen from one flower and apply to stigmas of others"? I assume A. spiralis are self fertile, I must have read this somewhere I believe.

I didn't do anything Either some insects got in to the greenhouse, or the plant did it all by itself.

That's not very helpful, unless I let the insects in!

In my hands not all Albucas are self fertile. For what concern Albuca spiralis, I tried to self pollinate Albuca spiralis 'Frizzle Sizzle' many times without success. I do not know doing it with two different plants.
Giac