Damn damn damn

macario · Post by **macario** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 5:05 pm

I screwed up. some of you know about me trying to cross a trachy with a distant cousin.I dusted my female flowers a few times with the males pollen and crossed my fingers. well as weeks went uy the female flowers all just fell away I just new I had failed. I saw what I thought was a completely empty female organ so today I clipped it off because it looked ugly. I am such an idiot!! I was getting ready to throw it in the garbage and I noticed 2 very small flowers that had fruited and was half developed!!! I am such and idiot!! Before I started this little experiment I talked to 2 people who are educated in cross breeding plants. They told me it might be possible to get some flowers to fruit if the DNA of these cousins was just right.

Alchris · Post by **Alchris** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 8:27 pm

Oops. That sucks. But you will be able to try again next year.

Allen

Barrie · Post by **Barrie** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 10:34 pm

Lesson learned. First off ... NEVER clip any potential female or pollenated palms if you want seed " I clipped it off because it looked ugly."
Second ... once pollenated, Trachycarpus fortunei should remain on the tree through winter and be harvested in February or March. This applies to zones 7b or milder. If you're in a colder winter climate, all bets are off. No one can attest to palm pollenation success in severe cold winter climates.

Cheers, Barrie.

Arctic Palm · Post by **Arctic Palm** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:37 am

Ouch!!!

Sorry to hear. Look on the bright side, you still have the best collection of palms in Chicago maybe even the state!

macario · Post by **macario** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 6:17 am

Thanx much , you have a big collection your self. I saw those pictures you posted. Real nice!

nucci60 · Post by **nucci60** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:57 am

I will be happy to get my trachy through a second winter, never mind flower. you did well. you have come a long with this.