Red pollen sacs

[Nievesgirl]

I see Matador has red pollen sacs ( which i never seen before) How often does this happen ?

[Charlie]

I don't think I've ever seen red pollen sacs before which is why it got my attention. Matador is one oddball variety - grows so big so fast that I have to grow them in 8 inch pots instead of 6 inch. What I want to do is cross it back with Dragon's Breath using Matador pollen to get a DB like flower on a stronger more vigorous bush. I tried it already using Matador to set seed but it wouldn't do it, at least not with Dragon's Breath. DB is a good seed setter so next season I'll try it that way.

If anyone else has seen unusual colors of pollen sacs please let us know.

Charlie

[1.618]

Seems to me I've seen something close on the discussion groups in a seedling from India by Pushpa which she called Great Grape. If I recall correctly she got the seed from Barry Schlueter.

[helixturnhelix]

That is interesting about matador.  How long do the flowers last on this variety?  I have this idea that the longer the flowers last the better seed setters they are because of the extra time given for the pollen tubes to form to the ovaries.  Do you find this is true?   

[Charlie]

That seems to be true, Chris. I don't have any data but Dale Dubin first pointed out to me the correlation he noticed between length of staminal column and ability to set seed. He believed the longer it is the worse the chances of getting seeds because of the extra time required.

Charlie

[Charlie]

 The photo pf Great Grape is suggestive of red sacs but the red eye and red staminal pads obstruct a clear view of the sacs. I know Pushpa so may write to ask her if she can confirm or not.

Charlie