Variegated Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans) is a popular houseplant known for its attractive foliage and bright red, tubular flowers. These plants are native to Southeast Asia and thrive in warm, humid environments. The plant is easy to care for and requires minimal maintenance. However, pollination is essential for the plant to produce fruit and seeds. In this article, we will discuss how to pollinate Variegated Lipstick Plant to increase your yield.
Pollination is the process by which pollen from the male part of the flower (anther) is transferred to the female part of the flower (stigma). This process leads to the production of seeds and fruits. In the case of Variegated Lipstick Plant, pollination is necessary for the plant to produce viable seeds that can be used for propagation.
Variegated Lipstick Plants are self-pollinating, meaning they can produce seeds without external help. However, cross-pollination can lead to better seed production and higher yields.
Pollinating Variegated Lipstick Plant is a simple process that can be done manually. Here are the steps:
Locate the flowers: Look for flowers that are fully open and have visible stigmas and anthers.
Collect pollen: Gently rub the anthers with a small brush or cotton swab to collect pollen.
Transfer pollen: Transfer the collected pollen onto the stigma of another flower. You can use the same brush or cotton swab for this step.
Repeat: Repeat the process for all open flowers.
It is important to note that Variegated Lipstick Plants have two types of flowers – cleistogamous and chasmogamous. Cleistogamous flowers are self-fertilizing and do not require pollination. They are small and do not produce seeds. Chasmogamous flowers, on the other hand, require pollination to produce seeds.
To ensure successful pollination, here are some tips to keep in mind:
After pollination, it takes about 2-3 weeks for the flowers to wither and the fruit to start forming. The fruit of Variegated Lipstick Plant is a capsule that contains numerous small seeds. The fruit takes about 3-4 months to mature and turn brown.
Once the fruit is mature, you can harvest the seeds by opening the capsule and collecting them. The seeds can be used for propagation or stored for future use.
No, you don’t need to pollinate your Variegated Lipstick Plant if you don’t want it to produce fruit or seeds. However, if you want to propagate the plant or increase your yield, pollination is necessary.
It is not recommended to use your fingers to pollinate your Variegated Lipstick Plant as this can damage the stigma. Use a small brush or cotton swab instead.
You only need to pollinate your Variegated Lipstick Plant once as each flower produces multiple seeds. However, if you want to ensure a higher yield, you can pollinate multiple flowers.
It is best to pollinate your Variegated Lipstick Plant during the day when the flowers are fully open and receptive. Pollinating at night may not be as effective.
It takes about 3-4 months for the fruit of Variegated Lipstick Plant to mature and turn brown.
Yes, you can store the seeds of Variegated Lipstick Plant in a cool, dry place for future use. Make sure to label the seeds with the date and type of plant for easy identification.