Hand pollinating chamaedorea adscendens and metallica

[happypalms]

Had a bit of luck pollinating a Metallica and adscendens. The adscendens are easy and have been pollinating them for quite a few years now with great success with close to 1500  seeds this season. A couple of months ago I had my chamaedoreas flowering so I keeped a close eye on the male metallicas I have in my garden. Last season I had a small bit of luck with my Metallica’s but hadn’t cracked the technique. But this season I got it right by observing the male flowers daily. Touching the them with an artist brush until I noticed some pollen one time. Not knowing (you can tell by the colour but had to act as the male pollen was fresh) if the female flowers were ready I pollinated them all in my garden daily until the pollen source was finished. Now a couple of months later I have some good seeds being produced. So i finally cracked the technique required for pollination of metallicas. It only took me three seasons but I worked it out obviously it’s not rocket science but through daily observation I worked it out. 

[Harry’s Palms]

You’ve been a busy bee! Harry😂

[tim_brissy_13]

Good to know the trick to the metallicas Richard. I just planted this male and female pair. 

[happypalms]

2 hours ago, Harry’s Palms said:

You’ve been a busy bee! Harry😂

Buzzing around doing my bit in the garden. 

Richard 

[happypalms]

1 hour ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

Good to know the trick to the metallicas Richard. I just planted this male and female pair. 

The tricky part is the male you will hardly notice the pollen so check daily. Go by the colour orange and watch closely you will see when they open. If the female is not ready store in the refrigerator in a paper or plastic bag. The pollen is not like adscedans where you get heaps. 

[gyuseppe]

I tried to pollinate chamaedorea metallica, but without success, instead I made hybrids of radicalis x microspadix, very beautiful!, but I didn't have even one left, all dead, what bad luck

[happypalms]

28 minutes ago, gyuseppe said:

I tried to pollinate chamaedorea metallica, but without success, instead I made hybrids of radicalis x microspadix, very beautiful!, but I didn't have even one left, all dead, what bad luck

Your quite a green thumb gardener by the sounds of it. Not all the ones i pollinated set seeds observation is the key to success. You will have  to start growing  more chamaedoreas again.