I have two Gymno's (pics below) that are both about to bloom.
I believe one of both of them is Gymnocalycium stenopleurum and the other I believe to be Gymnocalycium mihanovichii ; But, I am not certain.
I am hoping that the blooms will finalize their IDs.
I have never pollinated cacti and have the following questions:
How long do Gymno's bloom?
Will stenopleurum and mihanovichii produce viable seed?
If they do not bloom at the same time, how long will the pollen keep?
What is the best way to store (Gymno) pollen?
Do Gymno's Bloom during a certain part of the day?
Do they open and close multiple times?
How long after pollination do the flowers take to turn into pods?
How long until the pods are ready to be "picked"?
Do Gymno's "spit" their seeds or do they 'tend' to stay intact?
Anything I missed that would be valuable information?
Thanks for your help in advance!
Gymno. pollination questions...
- gemhunter178
- Posts: 2763
- Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2011 6:10 pm
- Location: Massachusetts,USA. Zone 6A
Re: Gymno. pollination questions...
Gymnos usually keep their flowers open in the day for a few days, some do, some don't.
Yes, their flowers usually open a close a few times.
I think Gymnos don't usually spit their seeds, I can be wrong though.
As for your other questions: I don't have an answer.
Yes, their flowers usually open a close a few times.
I think Gymnos don't usually spit their seeds, I can be wrong though.
As for your other questions: I don't have an answer.
A cactus and succulent collector who especially likes Ariocarpus. …Though I have a bit of everything! Want some pictures? See my flickr! I also do art and such.
Re: Gymno. pollination questions...
I appreciate you sharing your knowledge with me!gemhunter178 wrote:Gymnos usually keep their flowers open in the day for a few days, some do, some don't.
Yes, their flowers usually open a close a few times.
I think Gymnos don't usually spit their seeds, I can be wrong though.
As for your other questions: I don't have an answer.
- CoronaCactus
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- Location: Corona, California USA [Zone 10]
- Contact:
Re: Gymno. pollination questions...
The fruit will usually ripen to a dark color. They will split up the siide to reveal the seeds when ready. There is enough pulp to keep the seeds from spilling out. A few may still drop out, but the majority will stay inside the fruit.
Remember to keep notes on parentage for hybrids!!
Remember to keep notes on parentage for hybrids!!
Re: Gymno. pollination questions...
Could you expound on this statement?
Notes on what specifically?CoronaCactus wrote:Remember to keep notes on parentage for hybrids!!
- CactusFanDan
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Re: Gymno. pollination questions...
What the parent species of the hybrids were. You don't want to mess the gene pool up too much by then breeding your potentially hybrid plants with other plants and so on! It's always nice to try and have an idea of what species your plants are. Most of the plants up for ID now probably aren't pure bred plants and are most likely some bizarre hybrid plant. That's what makes a lot of IDs hard to pinpoint. Field collection numbers are a great thing.jnspire wrote:Could you expound on this statement?Notes on what specifically?CoronaCactus wrote:Remember to keep notes on parentage for hybrids!!
Oh and as for storing pollen, I know that some people sometimes collect pollen in little airtight plastic baggies and put them in a freezer for later use. Be sure to label everything thoroughly, though.
Re: Gymno. pollination questions...
Fruit colour varies, seed size varies, but you get the basic idea.
--ian
Re: Gymno. pollination questions...
Alright,
Thanks Dan!
Iann the picture is very helpful.
I appreciate the info and the help.
Thanks Dan!
Iann the picture is very helpful.
I appreciate the info and the help.