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Carnivorous Plants/Heliamphora flower

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Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 6/26/2009


Question
Hello Jeff,

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.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin

Carnivorous Plants

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Sarracenia Northwest

Expertise

If your plant is showing poor growth, discoloration, abnormal leaves or possible infestation, the growers at Sarracenia Northwest can help! Carnivorous plant experts Jeff Dallas and Jacob Farin will help you diagnose the problem and get your plants on the right track. Their no nonsense approach has helped thousands of growers all over the world. They can help you too!

Experience

With over 40 years of combined experience, Jeff and Jacob has definitely taken a straight forward approach to growing carnivorous plants. They have encountered many types of diseases, abnormal growth and infestations related to carnivorous plants, and they know what it takes to get plants looking beautiful and healthy again. Get the straight facts from the guys who grow and propagate thousands of these plants every year.

Education/Credentials
Authors of Secrets to Growing Beautiful Carnivorous Plants for Your Home and Garden and producers of the Grow Carnivorous Plants! DVD Series. They also produce a monthly video podcast to illustrate how plants cycle through the seasons.

No terrariums. No myths. No nonsense.


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