How to Pollinate Crossandra Plant:
Increase Your Yield

Crossandra plants, also known as firecracker plants, are beautiful flowering plants that are native to India and Sri Lanka. They are popular for their bright orange, red, and yellow blooms that can last for months. However, if you want to increase your yield and get more flowers from your crossandra plant, you need to learn how to pollinate it properly. In this article, we will guide you on the best practices for crossandra plant pollination.

Why is Pollination Important for Crossandra Plants?

Pollination is the process of transferring pollen from the male reproductive organ of a flower to the female reproductive organ of another flower. This process is essential for the production of fruits and seeds in plants. For crossandra plants, pollination is crucial to ensure that they produce an abundant yield of flowers.

If crossandra plants are not pollinated, they will not produce any fruits or seeds. Even worse, they may stop producing flowers altogether. This is because when a flower is not pollinated, it sends a signal to the plant to stop producing more flowers. By pollinating your crossandra plants, you can ensure that they continue to produce beautiful blooms throughout the growing season.

How to Pollinate Crossandra Plants

There are two main methods of crossandra plant pollination: hand pollination and insect pollination.

Hand Pollination

Hand pollination involves manually transferring pollen from the male reproductive organ (stamen) of one flower to the female reproductive organ (pistil) of another flower. This method is useful when there are few insects around to pollinate your plants.

To hand pollinate your crossandra plants:

1. Identify a flower with a mature stamen and one with a mature pistil.
2. Use a small paintbrush or cotton swab to collect pollen from the stamen.
3. Gently transfer the collected pollen to the pistil of the other flower.
4. Repeat the process with all the flowers you want to pollinate.

Insect Pollination

Insect pollination is the most common method of crossandra plant pollination. Bees and butterflies are the most common pollinators for crossandra plants. You can attract these insects to your garden by planting other flowering plants nearby.

To encourage insect pollination:

1. Plant flowering plants that attract bees and butterflies near your crossandra plants.
2. Avoid using pesticides that can harm pollinators.
3. Water your plants regularly and provide them with proper nutrition to ensure healthy growth.

Tips for Successful Crossandra Plant Pollination

Here are some additional tips to help you succeed in pollinating your crossandra plants:

• Pollinate in the morning when the flowers are fully open and the pollen is fresh.
• Use a small paintbrush or cotton swab to collect and transfer pollen.
• Make sure that the flowers you want to pollinate are not damaged or diseased.
• Remove any dead flowers or parts of the plant to promote healthy growth.

FAQ

Can crossandra plants self-pollinate?

Yes, crossandra plants can self-pollinate, but it is not as effective as cross-pollination.

How long does it take for crossandra plants to bloom after pollination?

It usually takes about 4-6 weeks for crossandra plants to bloom after pollination.

Can I eat the fruits produced by my crossandra plant?

No, crossandra fruits are not edible and may even be toxic.

How often should I pollinate my crossandra plants?

You only need to pollinate your crossandra plants once or twice a week during the growing season.

In conclusion, pollinating your crossandra plants is essential if you want to increase your yield and get more flowers from your plant. With the right techniques and practices, you can ensure that your crossandra plants produce beautiful blooms throughout the growing season.