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P. primuliflora

Hey all,
I would like to share a pic of my ping in flower.

Ping%20Flower.JPG
 
cool pic. My P. Primuliflora is in flower to, what are you planning on doing with it (seed, ect.?)
Kevin
 
How does one pollinate a Pinguiclua flower?
 
Hey,
If you look down the throught of the flower, one will notice a small apron like pad, that would be the female stigma, right behind this is the male anthers, which are hidden from view. You take a small brush, toothpick, ect. and make an upward swipe, bringing the pollen of the anthers to the stigma. P. Primuliflora isn't easy to self pollinate I dont think, so another flower is required. My general question basically was if you had another flower of P. Primuliflra to pollinate the current flower shown.
Kevin
 
Below is an excellent sketch of the Pinguicula flower structure found at the CP Database website:

From the CP Database "Slideshow of Pinguicula"
http://www.omnisterra.com/botany/cp/slides/pings/pings.htm

flower1.gif


Basically you have the ovary. At the end of the ovary and mostly blocking the opening of the flower is the stigma (this is a flap that is connected at the end of the ovary and it covers the two stamens), filaments with attached anthers are hidden underneath the stigma. The upper surface of the stigma is where pollen is received to accomplish pollination, while the underside of this stigma cover is where the plant keeps its own pollen. This reduces the chance that pollen from this same plant will reach the upper surface of the stigma and self-pollinate the flower.

When pollinating Pinguicula extra caution must be used because the connection of the stigma to the ovary is very tenuous and fragile while the stamens are more substantial and firmly attached to the base of the ovary.

Frequently pollen is released and accumulates under the covering stigma, which can then be collected with a flat toothpick and gently placed on top of the stigma surface to effect pollination.

I myself have found it easier to first photograph the flowers for posterity and then to carefully remove most of the petals to make it easier to access the reproductive parts of the flower without damaging them.
 
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