Richard Posted August 11, 2003 Report Share Posted August 11, 2003 Is the red form of Drosera capensis of hybrid origin? It seems my plant is sterile. It will not produce seed, even if I cross pollinate the plant with a seperate capensis clone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vic brown Posted August 11, 2003 Report Share Posted August 11, 2003 I think there are several red forms of D. capensis around. The one I grow produces plenty of viable seed. It needs really good, full sun to redden-up fully though. Vic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sheila Posted August 11, 2003 Report Share Posted August 11, 2003 My red form never produces seed either. It must have come from seed originally because I have never bought a red form, it appeared amongst some normal capensis seelings. It flowers well every year, but has not produced a single seed. I have got a couple of small ones appeared in the pot which are red, but I think these are probably coming from the main rootball of the big one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Aidan Posted August 12, 2003 Report Share Posted August 12, 2003 Isn't a sterile capensis a good thing? :mrgreen: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sheila Posted August 13, 2003 Report Share Posted August 13, 2003 Aidan, now you mention it yes I suppose it is a good thing, it's the only capensis that doesn't try to take over the greenhouse. It would be nice to get a few though, so others can have a go at growing them. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sheila Posted August 15, 2003 Report Share Posted August 15, 2003 Isn't that just typical. I had 6 flower spikes on my red form capensis this year. Most of the flowers have produced no seed at all, but this morning I found that on just one of the stems about half the flower heads have produced a few seeds. There are nowhere near as many as you would normally expect to get. This is the first time in 5 years it has produced any seed and seems stranger to me than having a plant that produces no seed at all. The rest of the flowers have not even a formed seed pod. Has anyone any idea why :?: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vic brown Posted August 15, 2003 Report Share Posted August 15, 2003 If your red form of D. capensis is usually self-sterile, it could be that it has been cross-pollinated with another sundew in your collection, probably, but not necessarily, another D. capensis. You'll only really find out for sure if you grow the seeds. I imagine that the numbers of pollinators available is much higher than normal during this hot and sunny weather we have been experiencing this Summer too. Vic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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