Something I am really excited about

[vraev]

Hi guys,

I know this is nothing in comparison to the plants most of the experts here get seed from. Although...I am happy that it seems that I have successfully fertilized by first nepenthes female flower. I would have loved to have more than one flower, but hey...I can't complain. The ovary seems to be elongating, I migt get like 10 seed max of which 50% go to the pollen donor.

But still...I am very very exited to get my very first seed. I would be glad to share some of the seed around if I can get more, but looking at the seed pod, I am skeptical. I almost can't believe it.... species seed that I was able to "facilitate myself" lol!

Any tips on when it should be ready? Should I tie a small bag around it to prevent seed from shooting out or germinating in the pod? I have misters that mist the plant and that pod multiple times a day.

Btw...if anyone is curious... she will be the proud parent of new N. aristolochioides offspring. I am happy I could fertilize species.

cheers,

varun



And here is some other things the mother is doing while the pod ripens:



BTW....for curious minds.... The parents were both aristolochioides from Borneo Exotics. So it is confirmed that the BE clones have both a male and female among them.

[nodine]

Congrats, vraev! Are you registered at Babies R Us, yet?

You mention misting the pod....what RH is the immediate environment?

Cheers

[vraev]

Thanks man! Lol!! the babies r us membership has to wait this is the only adult plant I have. I used to have a good sized ramispina and bicalcarata and sold them. I just don't have enough room for them. But these species...I can never get rid of them. I just adore/love these interesting highland nep species. But this is it... I will only make species seed even when my smaller species become adult.

I have automatic misters (mistking) in my tank. Humidity is lowest around 60%. Highest is around 85% at night. Misting just wets the plants thoroughly. Sadly though...plants aren't as ruuged or tough as some of the more specimen plants from Leilani or Michael, but I think that is because of lower light levels. I only have 4 T5 tubes + 2 T8 tubes at a distance of 3'. Clearly the plants don't mind more.

[leilani]

Congratulations Varun!

Any tips on when it should be ready? Should I tie a small bag around it to prevent seed from shooting out or germinating in the pod?

The expectant father ;D ;D ;D

Relax! I'm not even sure the girl is really pregnant and even if she is your still a long way from having babies. Where did you find this odd young hunchback with the her underdeveloped, almost unrealized, genitalia? I have serious doubts that this will make it through a normal gestation to seed and am even more doubtful that those seeds would be viable if it did.

I am excited for you. I remember the feeling well and I do hope it works out for you but don't go out and buy a stroller or start planning the baby's room just yet.

You will find that, much like that first awkward sexual encounter, you will some day look back and reflect on just how homely the girl and pitiful that first experience really was. ;D

[vraev]

lol Sam!! That knocks me down a few pegs. But well...I remain optimistic. Lets see...if works.. I will be happy. I know its kinda wierd looking with only a singleflower, but lets see. But thanks for the reality check, I'll keep the aspect of a failed "sexual encounter" in mind.

[lowii]

Jan 15, 2011 10:31:29 GMT -10 vraev said:

Should I tie a small bag around it to prevent seed from shooting out or germinating in the pod?

Hi,

Also if this one might not produce any seeds, I was wondering about this question. I will have my first seeds ready soon and did think about this too. Will the seed pods pop open and do I have to search the seed everywhere. What will the pod look like when the seeds are ready?
I have often seen seed pods of seeds when I got them, but they were really dry, is this from shipping or do I have to wait until the my pods are the same?

cheers
Michael

[shawnintland]

If you see your plants every day and as long as they are not exposed to winds, you 'probably' won't have any problems collecting your seeds before they drift away. In my experience, the fruit capsule slowly splits open over a day or two, not like some explosive dispersal-style seed capsules. Here are shots of some that are 'ready'.





I can't find a photo right now but if the stalk isn't too long, I have found that you can use a plastic cup with a domed-lid by cutting from one edge of the lid to the center 'straw hole'. Slip this onto the stem, dome down. Now just slide the cup into place over the flower stalk and put a couple strips of electrical tape on the cut in the lid to hold it together.

Good Luck

[vraev]

Thanks for the nice pics and explanation Shawn. Sadly...this flower and its stalk is as weak as probably the flower stalk that holds a single flower on that gigantic main stalk in your picture. the alternative I was thinking of is...use a small thin plastic bag...drape it over the flower and tape the edges down.

[peterhewitt]

I would not bother. You seem to be someone who observes his plants regularly. You will see when the pod starts to brown. I usually remove the pods while they are still green. To prevent contamination Invitro. But this is sometimes tricky and needs some experience.
Though I bow to the masters on this forum I have had some very interesting successes with abnormal flowers and odd looking seed pods that were actually viable. You might just get 5 or 10 seedlings, but that would be something..

[vraev]

thanks for the info Peter. Yup! I definitely haven't given up on this yet. lol! Even a couple of seedlings from my plant is good enough for me.

[Dave Evans]

Dear Varun,

This really reminds my of producing some N. campanulata seed. In the end, there was only about four flowers, with a handful of seed. Only got five babies, but that five more clones than before Oh, and hopefully any problems from being in TC fixed by the normal reproduction.

[vraev]

Good to hear that there is still some hope. Any idea of how many seed a flower pod like this might hold? 10-20? I still have to send 50% to the pollen donor.

[peterhewitt]

No way to tell, but not too many viable ones. What I would do, is try to germinate all the seed from the pod myself. If you have luck you can send 50% of the seedlings to the pollen donor. Perhaps only one or two of the Stigmas were fertilized, in which case you will get only a few viable seed. I have had pods like that which only produced two or three plantlets. But that would still be something. You really want to get those seeds sown as soon as they are ready.

[vraev]

hmm..... Fair enough. I'm sure that he will be okay with that..if that means it might maximize survival of whatever results from this cross.

[walterg]

We all know that aristolochioides is not exactly Sam's favorite plant, but his is happy and feeling hopeful this month...