The twisted lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus pulcher) is a popular houseplant that is known for its vibrant red flowers. However, many plant owners struggle with getting their lipstick plants to produce blooms. One of the reasons for this is poor pollination. In this article, we will discuss how to pollinate twisted lipstick plants and increase your yield.
Twisted lipstick plants are pollinated by hummingbirds and insects in their natural habitat. However, when grown indoors, they may not have access to these pollinators. As a result, it’s up to the plant owner to manually pollinate the flowers.
Pollination occurs when pollen from the male part of the flower (the stamen) is transferred to the female part of the flower (the stigma). This can be done in several ways, including using a small brush or cotton swab to transfer pollen from one flower to another.
Twisted lipstick plants bloom from spring through fall. They typically produce flowers in clusters at the end of long stems. The flowers are about an inch long and usually have a bright red or pink color.
To increase your chances of successful pollination, it’s best to pollinate the flowers when they first open. This is when the stigma is most receptive to pollen. You can tell if a flower is ready for pollination by looking at the stigma. If it’s open and has a sticky texture, it’s ready for pollen.
To pollinate twisted lipstick plants, you will need a small brush or cotton swab. Gently brush or dab the stamen of one flower to collect pollen, then transfer it to the stigma of another flower.
It’s important to avoid touching the petals or other parts of the flower, as this can damage the delicate blooms. You should also try to avoid pollinating the same flower twice, as this can lead to self-pollination and reduce your yield.
Here are some additional tips to help you successfully pollinate your twisted lipstick plants:
A: You should only need to pollinate your twisted lipstick plant once per flower. However, if the plant has multiple blooms, you may need to pollinate each one individually.
A: There are several reasons why a twisted lipstick plant may not produce flowers, including insufficient light, improper watering, and nutrient deficiencies. Make sure your plant is getting enough sunlight (bright indirect light is best), water it regularly (but don’t overwater), and fertilize it with a balanced fertilizer every few weeks.
A: Yes, there are several other methods you can use to pollinate twisted lipstick plants, including using a small paintbrush or blowing on the flowers gently. The key is to transfer pollen from the stamen to the stigma without damaging the delicate blooms.