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Post by wallsg7 on Apr 10, 2007 17:30:12 GMT
hi all,i was wondering if you only have one example of a particularly nice species of sarracenia in your collection and you wanted more of this plant-is it ok to simply self pollinate it?A purpurea var burkii for example.Could this be selfed for exact copies of the parent without problems?I have read somewhere that selfing plants can lead to weaknesses and would like more information on this subject if anyone has it. Thanks Gary
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Post by Aidan on Apr 10, 2007 17:41:05 GMT
The only method of obtaining exact copies (clones) of a plant is by vegetative reproduction. That is by cuttings, division or tissue culture.
Yes, you may self-pollinate Sarracenia but this will not result in clones of the parent plant.
There are several papers on the subject of self-pollination and results have shown that in in Sarracenia this may lead to inbreeding-depression in as little as a single generation. Out-crossing of plants is preferable unless there is a specific breeding aim in mind.
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Post by BarryRice on Apr 10, 2007 17:42:18 GMT
Hi Gary,
If you want an exact copy, you must reproduce it vegetatively. If you're really talking about a "burkii", it can be propagated pretty easily as a leaf pulling. Otherwise, you'll have to wait for it to divide.
Self pollination sometimes produces very nice plants. Selfing your "burkii" may result in lots of plants, probably quite similar to the parent. On the other hand, it might produce just a few weak seedlings. In my experience, it mostly depends upon the clone.
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Post by wallsg7 on Apr 10, 2007 18:03:14 GMT
I see-thanks.If i self a var burkii can i then label the seedlings as var burkii?
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Post by Aidan on Apr 10, 2007 18:47:44 GMT
Yes.
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Post by wallsg7 on Apr 10, 2007 19:08:38 GMT
These leaf pullings you mentioned barry.How difficult are they to do?How do you treat the pullings once their taken and is there a best time of year to do them?
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Post by BarryRice on Apr 11, 2007 0:17:48 GMT
These leaf pullings you mentioned barry.How difficult are they to do?How do you treat the pullings once their taken and is there a best time of year to do them? Pull the entire leaf off the rhizome. You should get the entire clasping base of the leaf. Choose a fully developed pitcher, mature but not yet crisping. I get best results by burying the lower 1/3 of the leaf in moist Sphagnum (live or dead), then I put the pot in a sealed baggie. Lots of light (not direct sunlight, though), warm growing conditions. Then I sit on my hands for about 3-5 weeks. After that time, carefully investigate. A failed pulling is brown and rotten at the base. Roots are good, and usually result in pitcher production. Snapping off baby roots is bad. If you grow Sarracenia well, it shouldn't be a problem. I do this in the spring. Barry Rooted pulling
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Post by wallsg7 on Apr 11, 2007 6:49:03 GMT
Thanks a lot barry for the detailed advice.Im going to give it a try myself.Ill let you know how i get on.
Gary
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