the last 2 times it sprouted it came up with 3 at a time this time looks like 2 x 2
and the other one looks like it is only coming up with 2 but they look nice and fat
and not real sure what i want to cross it with - yet

it looks like the first Podophyllum flower for me this year is going to be P. pleianthum
which is the father (pollen) parent of P. Red Panda so i'm thinking maybe i should try to save some of the pollen
has anybody ever saved Podo pollen ?

more interesting observation, this time on my difforme
the 2 on the left are are sold as starfish and the 4 on the right are Hunan


the top Starfish has redish undersides


as do all of the Hunan


But the bottom Starfish does not have the redishness (word?)

Interesting , I will check my Hunan when they open and maybe Julia could check her Starfish.

Mine are just starting to push. I'll try to watch and get a picture.

looks like i will be learning how to save pollen
the first Podo to flower is pleianthum

i decided to save pollen from one flower a day, today is #1
get everything ready


pour small amount of desiccant into vial to keep pollen dry


remove anthers & put into 2 vials


tag the vials


tomorrow flower number 2

Dick just to let you know my Hunan are showing the red on the bottom of the leaves and I will take picture when they are fully open. Also trying to keep a close look at the Guangxi and the SDK, the only difference I see so far is the little spikes on the edge of the leaves seem more pronounced on the SDK. The SD's are doing very well in the house so far and are getting larger.

they do look alike don't they ?
sounds like all is doing well for you so far
keep in mind i have some of everything of mine in the greenhouse 24/7
i have the heaters set to come on at 50° and the upper vents to open at 88°
and i have seen it at 100°+ in the summer in there even with the vents and the door open
so they can handle a lot of heat if their feet are kept moist
good luck

Flower #2 pollen

Thought this was pretty interesting, sure you have already read the article.

https://www.pacifichorticultur...

I have read it but it did remind me to ask Dick if he has ever tried crossing the American and one of the Chinese plants. I would think this would improve cold hardiness.
Thanks.

Thought this part was interesting

Ethnobotanical Properties
In the current pharmacopiaea, there is interest in podophyllotoxin, a resin-like substance obtained from podophyllum rhizomes, for use in tumor and cancer reduction (including genital warts and some HIV complications like leucoplakia); it is also used in anti-scarring creams. In the early twentieth century, the resin was the principle ingredient in Carter's Little Liver Pills. Indian shamans mixed the rhizome with cannabis and used the concoction to put their victims into a "spirit state." (Do not try this at home, as it is quite poisonous!) Podophyllum resin has been used in Native American cultures as a powerful laxative, and young shoots were eaten to commit a speedy suicide. The fruit is the only edible part of the plant, but only when fully ripe; it has a sub-acid taste and a texture like an unripe strawberry (so why bother?).

i think that particular article by Dan Heims is the best there is on Podophyllums, i have read it at least 3 times and find something new each time i read it
i think i read somewhere that the Chinese have come close to wiping out P. hexadrum in the wild from over collecting for the resin and have gone to farming it.
i wonder why we don't get to see the hybrid of the American and Chinese Podo done by the Chinese? the Chaps in the UK? and even Dan Heims ? it must not be ? or ?

From the way the article reads to me is that Terra Nova has done a number of crosses but have only released the 2. Might have to do with tissue culture issues or were not worth reproducing. Crosses with the American plants might have only produced green leaves. I was wondering why you do not seem to see P. hexadrum for sale anymore. For awhile it seemed to be the one you saw the most.

Bob
i don't know of any crosses Terra Nova has made and released
both Spotty Dotty and Kaleidoscope originally are from a nursery in Japan who got them from China
Terra Nova may have given them their names and patented them for tissue culture distribution
i'm not sure is legit for Kaleidoscope as it may possibly be a specie or a wild hybrid ?
i'm no expert but can you patent a specie?
Heronswood nursery up in Wa. did a lot of hybridizing years ago and there is supposed to be lots of their crosses in the gardens now on display in the park like layout, i need to get up there to see it all.

this is actually the 4th batch of Pleianthum pollen i have saved


@springcolor Julia is your Red Panda showing some flower buds ?
and can you save some pollen from it ? and trade with me ?
mine is showing it will maybe produce 3 flowers and one of them might be a nice test
of Red Panda x Red Panda ?

This is mine a few days ago!



I wonder how long before flowering? In a Week or so I'm going to go care for my grandchild in Az. Parents work on the front lines of the hospital and need to isolate after work. Not knowing when I will return home.

Wow
yours is going to be big & gorgeous with lots of flowers
kinda looks like it might be cpl weeks away from flowering
and my baby is maybe a week ahead of yours prolly because i have it in the greenhouse
we maybe will get to do it next year

Defiantly, would for next year.