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nafex - Re: [NAFEX] PawPaw pollenation

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  • From: Jwlehman@aol.com
  • To: nafex@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [NAFEX] PawPaw pollenation
  • Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2010 22:27:14 EDT

In a message dated 4/6/2010 9:44:46 PM Eastern Daylight Time, rewagner@centurytel.net writes:

I think the road kill would only work to attract flies. Some plants such as
stapelias depend on flies for pollination which is why their blossoms smell
like carrion. I don't know if it would  convince flies to pollinate normal
smelling flowers. They might not be 'turned on' by the alien scents.


I'd like to submit pawpaw flowers aren't normal smelling flowers. Take several pawpaw flowers and cup them in you hand and smell. They don't smell good. Crowin Davis who bred and worked with pawpaws in Michigan reported observing carrion flies as pollinators. I have never seen a bee in one. He recommended the use of road kill in the pawpaw orchard. Having said all of the above, I'm not too convinced how well it works. I've done it and saw flies on the carcass but not in the flowers. But I didn't spend a lot of time looking. Lady bugs visit the flowers, have seen that often. Plant the trees close together, 5 to 10 feet ands let nature take it's course. That works.

Jerry 




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