Albuca spiralis

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Aiko
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Re: Albuca spiralis

Post by Aiko »

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.
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Re: Albuca spiralis

Post by Astro »

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.
Daubenya alba
Daubenya alba
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Massonia depressa with flecked leaves.
Massonia depressa
Massonia depressa
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Another depressa, supposed to have red flowers. Time will tell...
Massonia depressa Lemoenpoort
Massonia depressa Lemoenpoort
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Token Lithops picture
Lithops julii fuscous form
Lithops julii fuscous form
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MatDz
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Re: Albuca spiralis

Post by MatDz »

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?

A spiralis.png
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Photograph borrowed from https://academic.oup.com/aob/article/110/3/565/2769015
Mat
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Re: Albuca spiralis

Post by Acid John »

'B' is the ovary. The top of 'A' is where you stick your pollen.
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Re: Albuca spiralis

Post by ralphrmartin »

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

Post by MatDz »

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.
Mat
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Re: Albuca spiralis

Post by Acid John »

Interesting paper MatDz.
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Re: Albuca spiralis

Post by ralphrmartin »

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 :grin: Either some insects got in to the greenhouse, or the plant did it all by itself.
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Members visiting the Llyn Peninsula are welcome to visit my collection.

Swaps and sales at https://www.rrm.me.uk/Cacti/forsale.php

My Field Number Database is at https://www.fieldnos.bcss.org.uk
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MatDz
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Re: Albuca spiralis

Post by MatDz »

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 :grin: 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!
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Re: Albuca spiralis

Post by GiacomoP »

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
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