13 replies to this topic

[Rob-Rah]

My Aldrovanda which is currently flowering appears to be producing seed heads. They are being thrust into the water. Does anyone know if this is for real? Is Aldrovanda self-pollinating or have some bees crept in and done the job for me?

And is it worth keeping the seeds?

Cheers.

[Iwein]

And is there anybody who has succeeded in germinating these babies?
regards,

[Binataboy]

It has been done as a lot of the Australian (Northern Teitory) material originated from seed sent over seas.

By the way I need some Aldrovanda seed to photograph (a not very subtle hint!)

George

[Rob-Rah]

I am happy to send out seed when it matures.

However, I can't guarantee collection of it. The seed heads have bent over and forced themselves face down into the water. I could remove the growing shoots from the water to enable safe collection but this might not be what the plant wants and the seed may not mature properly out of the water. Anyway, just a speculation.

If anyone in distant lands would like me to try and save seed for them, let me know. No point for in the EC (as I ought to have a few turions for grabs in winter for the EC).

Cheers.

[Binataboy]

I would love some seed!! Any idea where the parent plants are from?

George

[Rob-Rah]

Lake Dlugie in Eastern Poland.

The seed pods are not ripe yet, although they continue to look like they have been pollinated.

I am checking them each day and will try to catch them as they begin to be ripe. Will post again if and when I have some seed.

[Rob-Rah]

Hmmm. Sorry folks, but as I am off to university next weekend there will be no-one around to keep a close watch on the seedpods and the seed (if it even forms) won't get collected.

Prob have some turions available in the winter though. Watch this space.

[JanW]

Binataboy said:

By the way I need some Aldrovanda seed to photograph (a not very subtle hint!)

Hi George,

I sent some seed to Christian.I hope he will post the photographs in the next days.
The seeds look a lot like Dionaea seeds (black, hard with a shiny coat).
That fact was at first suprising, but then I remembered the flowers to look very related, too.

Jan

[JanW]

Quick update, the seeds arrived at Christian and he took some great pictures!



And for comparision, seeds of Dionaea muscipula:


Jan

/edited ...new file names!

[JanW]

Hi guys,

just a quick update.

27. September 2004: Sowed about 20 seeds -> rest of them swapped or sent to Christian for photography.

21. November 2004: Took the seeds out of aquarium and put in peaty water filled film canister in the fridge (4°C).

14. Januar 2005: Put the the clear film containing the seeds and some peaty water canister on my windowsill.

23. Januar 2005: (today) Got first germination!!!

To germinate this tropical red clone from Australia (no location data) stratification should done it! The seed were at least a year old!

I will post photos the next days...

Cheers!
Jan

[JanW]

Finally I had time to photograph my tiny seedling... ;)

Enjoy!







Cheers!
Jan

[BobZ]

Fantastic photos, Jan!!!

[JanW]

Good news everyone, those old seeds seem to keep germinating. Now the film canister is located under artificial lights and the germination rate went up to one third, 5 out of 15 seeds germinated. I spread some around, so guys post your success rates, too!

Jan

[Martin Hingst]

These little hand grenades seem to explode in slow motion  
Thanks for these great pictures, Jan!