AboutSarracenia Northwest Expertise Got a carnivorous plant problem? The growers at Sarracenia Northwest can help! Carnivorous plant experts Jeff Dallas and Jacob Farin have helped thousands of growers around the world, and they can help you too. When you submit your question, they will diagnose your situation and offer a solution to help you get your carnivorous plant back on track.
Experience With over 40 years of combined experience, Jeff and Jacob has definitely taken a straight forward approach to growing carnivorous plants. Get the straight facts from the guys who grow and propagate thousands of these plants every year.
PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR QUESTION:
We no longer answer how-to questions (i.e. How do I propagate...?; How do I grow...?).
Instead, we help growers by diagnosing a specific plant problem and offering solutions (i.e. Why is my sundew not producing dew?; Is now a good time to divide my Sarracenia?; Why are the traps turning black?; What's a good substitute for perlite?; Why didn't my seeds germinate?; Can you identify this carnivorous plant for me?)
My heliamphora is getting ready to blossom, and I was wondering if it can produce it's own seeds, or it it takes 2 plants, and also if it can make it's own seeds, if there are any special instructions for doing that?
Answer Hi John,
It's really difficult to get seeds from Heliamphora flowers. In our years of growing this plant, we have been unsuccessful with each attempt. The flowers are designed to prevent self-pollination, so you'll need two plants flowering at the same time. As I recall, the stigma is receptive prior to the flower releasing its pollen, so you'll need to collect pollen from another flower. When the flower releases its pollen, the stigma is no longer receptive. On top of that, the plant opens up only one flower at a time. Your timing has to be very precise to pollinate these flowers. To make it even more difficult, the plant releases its pollen to the gentle vibration of a hummingbird's beak. Shaking the flower won't do it.
Instead of trying to pollinate the flower, enjoy it for its sheer beauty.
