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rainforestguy

Pollinating Sansevierias

RainforestGuy
12 years ago

One of the greatest pleasures in growing sansevierias is the ease in which they can be pollinated and make seed. One must learn how to store pollen, as flowering cycles do not always coincide to have two plants in flower at the same time.

Saving pollen is mainly the process of storing in cold storage with some anhydrous material (the package in some cookies and candies that say-do not eat) will do the trick. Store the pollen in small medicine bottles or even waxed paper stored in zip lock bags frozen. I have kept pollen viable for about a year.

Most of the species pollinate freely. Some never make seeds. I find that the laurentii group is the most reluctant group to make seeds.

They do pollinate well but rarely are seeds produced.

A laurentii x dessertii cross has been documented to create a plant high in fiber. This cross has been made by the USDA for the dying rope-sisal industry. A variegated form of this hybrid is also around and grows easily, especially for a rope making plant!