Hank,

Stapeliad flowers aren't like the rest of the succulent flowers - there's a lock-and-key sort of system for the pollination, with the fly (can be specific to the species, can not be, too) being the key and the flower being the lock. I'm not completely sure how it's done and what the parts are, but I remember seeing Whiteslonea crassa flowers being pollinated under a microscope, so small were the pollination mechanisms involved. I don't think what you intend to do will be effective, but go ahead and surprise me - it can't hurt to try.

I don't know about P. migiurtinus, but I've had no luck with my P. cubiformis. I tried a small brush last winter, and flies this summer, but neither worked. Maybe it's not self-fertile, or maybe I just don't have the right technique.

Here is a link which explains how to pollinate Asclepias

Jordi

Here is a link that might be useful: Ascleps pollinating

Hi-

I don't have anything to offer on pollinating, sorry...but I was wondering if you had any advice on how to get these guys to flower? My P. cubiformis is doing well, just no flowers. Any tips?

thanks.

T

From what I've been told they need heat (think Somalia) to thrive and flower

Lots of heat, day and night, and regular watering will lead to flowers. For me, August is prime time. My P. mig seems to flower more readily and more often than my P. cubi.

I would not be surprised if lots of heat is also needed for better pollen production. I've noticed that flower stinkage is more intense on hot days, which leads me to believe that scent molecules are upregulated and maybe pollen as well.

Anyone with insight?

x

I don't know what to tell you. My P. cubiformis seems to flower quite easily. I got it as a small seedling from Out of Africa two years ago. It first flowered last winter in my basement (65-70F), and then again outdoors this summer. I water it regularly and use 1/4-1/2 strength fertilizer at every watering. I try to give it as much light as possible, though it tends to turn a brighter green when I put it under artificial light for the winter. The smell did seem to carry further in the summer. I could smell it from a good six feet away.

Here it is last winter.

{{gwi:477610}}

Well...heat is one thing mine had plenty of this summer.

Last week, I moved it indoors under lights - pretty warm in there, too, right now.

Perhaps I am not watering frequently enough? Mine is in a gritty mix, and I water it every several days or so, I think. Basically, when it looks and feels dry. How frequently are you guys watering?

T

Penfold,

That's a great-looking plant - TFS.

I water mine every day (unless I am on vacation) during the hot part of summer (July and August).

x

@cactusmcharris: Thanks. Since the flowers are so small, I tried to pollenate them with one hair under a magnifying glass. Well this is the best I can do.

@penfold2: Just an article from many I read mentioned that Stapeliad (Not Pseudolithos) isn't self-fertile. I'm not sure either.

@Jordi: Thanks for the link. I tried to read it before, but couldn't finish it. It's too complicated. :)

@T: I bought mine this spring and planted it in pure Lechuza-Pon. We'd a very hot July (35C-40C for about a month) and a quite cool August (15C-20C). The whole summer I left mine outdoor in the shade with 2-3 hours direct sunlight. I watered it every third day, when the temperature was high. Now it's indoor and I water it every ninth day. (The latter is according to the moon calender.)
I read it somewhere. Pseudolithos muss reach certain size before it could flower. Mine has 4cm diameter.

cactusmcharris, thanks! It's done pretty well for me these last couple years.

Tom, your watering sounds fine. I try to water mine just before the soil dries out completely. I also fertilize with a 9-3-6 formula at 1/4 (winter) to 1/2 (summer) tsp per gallon.

hankeat, I've heard of solitary P. migiurtinus flowering, but I don't know about P. cubiformis.

Use a cat whiskar, have a steady hand and study with a diagram where to insert the pollen, get a high powdered microscope so you can see the entry. I learned using a Hoya flower. Norma

@Norma: Thanks for the idea with cat whiskar.