D. aff. paradoxa flower

[homer]

Here's a pic I took earlier this month of my paradoxa in bloom.  It opened its first flower on 6/24/04, and is still going strong.  Yesterday the 23rd flower opened and closed, but not before I hand pollinated it.  I'm keeping a record of which flowers I hand pollinate, and which ones I do not.  This way, I hope to determine if this species self pollinates and/or is able to produce seed without help from another clone.  From a recent search, I found that this might be possible with the paradoxa... alone amongst the Petiolaris Complex.  

Two other flower stalks started to grow, but I snipped them off... in order to prevent the plant from exhausting itself.

After I hand pollinate the flower, it closes within a minute thereabouts.  I wasn't aware that it would do so that quickly.  

-Homer

 

[Clint]

what conditions do you grow your paradoxa in?

 

[Amateur_Expert]

i'd be interested in seeds

(way off topic) but worth a shot

 

[homer]

Equal parts peat, perlite, and silica sand. I use the tray method. The paradoxa is kept just a few inches below the fluorescent bulbs, most of the time, in my terrarium.

-Homer

 

[Clint]

might i ask what the temps and humidity are?

 

[homer]

Temps range from mid 80's during the day to 70 F at night.  Humidity 40-50%.  Keep in mind the hygrometer is in the front of the terrarium, while the plant is in the back; therefore, the RH near the plant is anyone's guess.

-Homer