How to hand-pollinate Gastrodia elata? Detailed methods and steps
Gastrodia elata is a commonly used medicinal herb, mainly used to treat conditions 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, artificially planted Gastrodia elata generally needs hand pollination. So how do we carry out hand pollination? Why is hand pollination necessary? Let the editor tell you below.
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. However, the area of artificially planted Gastrodia elata is larger, so it naturally cannot rely on earth bees for pollination, and the flowers of Gastrodia elata are rather unique, so external force must be used to complete pollination. In order to obtain high-quality planting material and increase seed yield, hand pollination is needed. This is also the main reason why Gastrodia elata requires hand pollination.
2. Time for 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. Pollinating at this time can ensure the seed-setting rate of Gastrodia elata. Pollinating too early or too late will reduce yield and affect quality. Secondly, pollination should be carried out on a sunny day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and must not be earlier than ten o'clock or later than four o'clock.
3. Pollination methods
The tool we generally need for pollination is fine-tipped tweezers, though a needle or bamboo needle can also be used. When pollinating, hold the flower's receptacle with the left hand, then use the right hand to hold the tweezers or needle to remove or press down the flower's lip, so that the pistil 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 them onto the pistil. Same-plant pollination, cross-plant pollination, 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 test which type has better yield and quality.
4. Precautions
When hand-pollinating Gastrodia elata, we need to pay attention to some relatively small details. Let's take a look below. First, we must pay attention to the pollination time. Pollination must be carried out only after the pollen has matured, and it must not be done on rainy days or when the dew has not dried. Second, when removing the lip, do not damage the column. When prying open the anther cap, do not pierce the ovary at the bottom 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, during pollination, it is best to use more pollen and to have it combine well with the mucus.
The above is a simple and general analysis by the editor regarding the questions everyone wants to understand, and it also summarizes some precautions about hand-pollinating Gastrodia elata, 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.