B Caapi in flower

[Stonehenge]

I just went outside and saw something I never expected to see. My caapi plant in the ground is putting out tons of flower buds. No flowers yet and with a cold snap coming I would not be surprised if all the buds dropped off. That particular plant has been there for a few years, maybe 4 or 5, I forget. It's a huge one and reaches out about 8' in all directions.

Anyone else get their caapi to flower?

If it actually produces flowers as opposed to buds, I'll try to take and post a photo. I'm not holding my breath on that and the chances of getting viable seed is fairly slim. But, this is a good development for sure.

[Stonehenge]

Since my first sighting, I've noticed that another caapi is also in bloom. It only has a few flowers but I'm glad to see them. My other two caapi are not flowering but they are the youngest ones. The oldest one is flowering the most. The flower buds are tiny pale green globes. They are getting larger and I see a few starting to open and a pinkish flower coming into view. It doesn't look like any of the flowers are open yet. It's like a pink globe inside the green one. I'm starting to have hopes for seeds since they didn't die off in the cold yet.

Updates to follow...

[Stonehenge]

The pinkish capsules have started to open. The capsule becomes the petals of the flower. I tried to log into the gallery but it sends me back to the forum. I was never able to get it to work last time I tried. Is anyone interested?

[OBODAOUR]

Hey Stoney,
 I'd love to see some photos. Try posting to photobucket or something and just hotlinking em.

Peace
ObOdAOuR

[Stonehenge]

Photos are at shroomery and the nook. No seeds formed, all the flowers just dropped off. Same with the rivea. But at least I got to look at the flowers.

[Stonehenge]

I'm happy to say that while all the early flowers fell off, some of the later flowers did form seeds. I ended up with 50 or 60. I planted a few and just had one come up.

[Stonehenge]

I ended up with a few seedlings. I hope this year to do better. I will work harder on cross pollenation with the other caapi that also flowered. They had been in the ground for 5 to 7 years and got direct sun the whole time. They have been getting streetlight at night so it was almost 24 hour light. I hope that helps someone. I fert them now and then when they look pale.

[IOPan]

nice it's always nice to see the caapi flower and seed even my rivea have seeded but it too five or more years and it's still a small plant in terms of size
peace

[Stonehenge]

My caapi is back in flower but just buds at this point in time. I'm hoping it's learned how to set seed better this time around.

Merry Christmas everyone!

[Syd]

...and a Happy New Year to you Stone, I hope you get what you wish for with your flowers!!!

[Stonehenge]

Thanks, Syd. No seeds yet but it's flowering profusely. It got burned by a recent freeze but is still going. My black caapi didn't get burned at all. The rivea hasn't flowered yet.

[Stonehenge]

My main plant got hit by a couple freezes and did not set any seeds except for one which has not matured yet. My second plant which only produced a few last year is doing much better this year and is taking up the slack. I already have one sprout. The percentage of seeds that sprouted was low last year and I don't think any of the small seeds sprouted. This year they go straight to the damp paper towel.

[dendro]

My caapi has been flowering every year for a long time now, ten years+.

I'm such a slacker, I never even checked for seeds, I know, what's up with that?  :roll:

I propagate by root cutting...

My Rivea always flowers and sets many seeds. Puna Big Island.

[Juicemonkey]

Im wondering how old a vine needs to be in order to flower?

How long was yours in the ground stonehenge?

[Stonehenge]

'bout 6 or 7 years before it flowered. But the other one was only around 5 years so it varies.