You remember two weeks ago I told you that my Avonia quinaria ssp. alstonii has grown 3 seed pods without being pollinated or even having a suitable partner. I collected approximately 50 seeds that looked viable in their size and shape and then sowed half of them in a pot occupied by some other mesemb seedlings, simply out of curiosity. Only a day later these fresh seeds indeed started to hatch! Some of them looked week and crippled and died just as soon as they germinated but at the end of this week I can count 6 seedlings that gradually increase in size (and another 6 that just hatched but do look good).
This is quite interesting because growers don't consider Avonia quinaria a self-fertile Avonia. But apparently it does happen. I am not clear on what actually induces selfing in them. I've had Avonia flowers before but never seed pods.
The seedlings look great. A few look very similar to newly germinated lithops seedlings! How interesting. Obviously, like a lot of mesembs, Avonias don't always read what the experts write. That's what makes growing these weird and beautiful plants interesting and exciting. Yes, there are rules, but the plants don't always obey them. Just like any teenager. :)
ReplyDeleteI look forward to following the Continuing Avonia Adventures.
Thank you :)
DeleteThey do gain weight from day to day and will hopefully get more meaty soon. At the moment I'm not sure what will be their next stage. Would the branches just come out at the top like monilaria "ears"? No idea. This makes it all the more exciting :)
For now I just hope to keep them alive....
I have read that selfing can be induced by other flowers but am not sure this can happen without help.
ReplyDeleteI think it's often the case with lithops...
DeleteActually other Avonias (not the quinaria) sometimes don't even bother opening their flowers and you still get seeds. Or so I read :)
Hi Rika,
ReplyDeleteMay I know what mix you used to sow Avonias?
I sow some on cactus mix, I have to be away for a week all died when I came back. :C
Regards
Loh
Hi Loh!
DeleteI tried pure pumice so far but not successfully. For me, they grow too slowly and die too quickly...
Hi Rika,
ReplyDeleteMy sprout after a week it just vanished. In a closed container.
Probably cooked or rotted... it happens.. They seem to put on weight very slowly and die quickly..
DeleteHi Rika,
DeleteThe Avonia arrived and sow it in cactus mix with sand.
Sprout the next day! Is the second week. And the seedling are doing well.
regards
Loh
Congratulations! :) Now you will need lots of patience :)
DeleteHi Rika
DeleteImages of Avonia seedlings. Afew died. Left 11 seedlings. Trying my best to grow them to adult plants.
See below link for images
http://growingcactus-sg.blogspot.sg/2016/09/avonia-ustulata-seedlings.html?m=1