Learned a little bit about zuk reproduction this week and yes I know - this IS fascinating. I was interested to find what the deal was with these big, bright flowers I was getting so early on the plant and it turns out they are the male flower which has pollen and is only open for a few hours in the morning before it withers up and dies. If there are no female flowers open at the same time AND if some of that pollen does not make it into the female flower then no fruit! Usually the male flowers precede the female flowers in seedlings. I should expect to see some female flowers (which have a mini looking zuk fruit at the base of the flower as compared to the straight stem of the male flower) in a few days. Word to the wise - don't water the zuks in the morning or you may wash off the pollen and ruin that flowers chance at getting lucky. You don't want that on your conscience do you?
No comments:
Post a Comment