How to Hand-Pollinate Gastrodia elata? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Method
Gastrodia elata is a commonly used medicinal herb, mainly used to treat ailments such as wind-calming, convulsion relief, dizziness, headache with numbness, and hemiplegia. At present, the main producing areas of Gastrodia elata in China are Jilin, Hebei, Hubei, Sichuan, Guizhou and other places. During the cultivation process, generally the artificially cultivated Gastrodia elata all needs to go through hand pollination. So how do we carry out hand pollination? Why is hand pollination necessary? Now let the editor tell everyone.
1. Reasons for hand-pollinating Gastrodia elata
Wild Gastrodia elata is basically pollinated by the rare earth bees found in nature, and the pollination success rate is not high. Artificially cultivated Gastrodia elata covers a larger area, so naturally it cannot rely on earth bees for pollination, and the flowers of Gastrodia elata are quite unique, so external force must be used to complete pollination. In order to obtain high-quality plants and increase seed yield, hand pollination is needed, and this is the main reason why Gastrodia elata requires hand pollination.
2. Timing of hand pollination
The timing of hand pollination must be grasped well, otherwise the best opportunity will be missed. Generally, we complete pollination within one to three days after flowering. This is the period when the pollinia are mature and relatively vigorous. Only by pollinating at this time can the seed-setting rate of Gastrodia elata be guaranteed. Pollinating too early or too late will both reduce yield and affect quality. Secondly, pollination should be carried out on a sunny day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and not earlier than ten o'clock or later than four o'clock.
3. Pollination method
When pollinating, the tool we need to use is generally pointed tweezers, though a needle or bamboo needle can also be used. When pollinating, hold the flower's receptacle with the left hand, then hold the tweezers or needle with the right hand to clip off or press down the flower's labellum, so that the pistil of the flower extends out. Then use the pollination tool to pry open the flower's anther cap from bottom to top, stick to the pollinia, and place it onto the pistil. Self-pollination of the same plant, cross-pollination of different plants, and mutual pollination between different varieties of Gastrodia elata can all be used. This is also a method of hybridization, and at the same time it can also test which one has better yield and quality.
4. Points to note
When hand-pollinating Gastrodia elata, we need to pay attention to some rather small details. Let's take a look below. First, we must pay attention to the pollination time, and we must wait until the pollen is mature before pollinating. At the same time, pollination cannot be carried out on rainy days or when the dew has not dried. Secondly, when clipping off the labellum, do not injure the gynostemium, and when prying open the anther cap, do not pierce the ovary at the base of the flower. Also, it is best to use cross-pollination, as this can produce new varieties and improve the quality of the offspring. Finally, when pollinating, it is best to have a little more pollen, and it is best if it bonds together with the mucus.
The above is a simple and general analysis by the editor regarding the questions everyone wants to understand, and at the same time some points to note about hand-pollinating Gastrodia elata have also been compiled, hoping to help all friends. If everyone wants to learn more about the techniques for cultivating Gastrodia elata, remember to leave a message for the editor.