Hi Maggie, it seems that aeschynanthus are fairly unique in that different species have different colored pollen. I don't have this one right now so I can't say what color the pollen is. All gesneriad flowers put out their pollen laden stamens when the flowers open, then the stigmas grow out as the stamens recede. That is why it is best to pollinate an older flower with pollen from a younger flower. Some aeschynanthus need some tinkering to get the pollen out of the anthers as it is sort of protected. But, if you have the pollen then it may well be gray when viable and it might pollinate flowers to set pods. It also just may be that humilis (formerly known as hildebrandii, which is in fact another species, not in cultivation) is one of those species that do not set pods easily. I seem to recall that this plant was known for that. A few years ago some new clones cames into cultivation and seed of them was in the seed fund for several years. So, while I can't say that you will get seed pods I think it is a very good idea to try. But, if you don't get pods to set, it may be because the plant just isn't good at setting seed. I think that the several hybrids with humilis were done by putting its pollen on the other species in those crosses--i.e.

'Hot Flash' (humilis x evardii)
'Big Apple' (humilis x micranthus)--I think that is right??

Jon

Thanks Jon, I took it to our meeting today and had someone else help me with this one....I am so hoping we were successful...It is a wonderful plant and I think it should be in everyones's collection. However I don't think this will be the case until we can learn to get seed from it....Oh how I love this plant...if I ever get my camera back I will do my best to get photos of it so all can see...I doubt however that the voodoo gods that watch over Bill Price's plants will ever look that kindly at mine..I never saw such a well grown plant as he had in Sacramento.

Maggie

Bill's plant--oh yes, I remember it. For those reading this who don't know what we are talking about I have included a link to a photo of Bill's plant. It was just about the most spectacular specimen I have ever seen. But, I have seen it grown just about as spectacularly before. It is truly one of the great plants.

It doesn't have the tolerance for extremes that other aeschynanthus have. It has less succulent leaves, and therefore needs more consistant watering. But, being an epiphyte it can't tolerate heavy wet soil either. So, it needs a light soil, good humidity, cool temperatures, and even watering and feeding. Thus, it does well in cooler maritime climates, like what Bill has. I remember some great home grown plants that members of our local chapter grew in their San Francisco apartments. Humilis love SF's cool foggy humid climate. It will do well under lights as most people have their light stands in basements or in air conditioned homes. It just can't be allowed to go into severe drought or it will die. To flower well, it needs consistant conditions.

A 'Hot Flash', which I mentioned on another thread just now, is a hybrid of humilis and evardii--a combination of two of the very best flowering species. It isn't much seen these days but is worthy of a resurgence of popularity.

Lastly, humilis would be a great species to hybridize with. I can think of lots of wonderful potential combinations. I once crossed it with gracilis 'Red Elf'. I got a real miniature that had great form but rarely flowered. I think that, in that case, the species were too distantly related to make for a vigorous combination.

Jon

Here is a link that might be useful: A, humilis (formerly known as hildebrandii)