$15.00 AUD
$20.00 AUD
Using a manual nasal aspirator to puff pollen into the stigma of a dragon fruit flower is a simple and effective hand-pollination technique. This method mimics natural pollination by gently blowing pollen directly onto the sticky stigma of the flower.
A manual nasal aspirator (like a baby nose sucker) is a fantastic tool for hand-pollinating dragon fruit, especially in wet or humid weather when a brush can collect too much moisture and damage the pollen.
Here’s a clear step-by-step guide:
A manual nasal aspirator (the rubber bulb type, like a baby nose sucker)
A small container or spoon to collect pollen
Access to open dragon fruit flowers (usually bloom at night and are receptive the same night)
Identify fresh, open dragon fruit flowers (typically bloom between 7 PM–2 AM).
Use a small spoon, brush, or your fingers to gently collect pollen from the anthers (the yellow-tipped filaments).
Place the pollen into a clean, dry surface like a spoon or small dish.
Optional: You can collect pollen from a different variety to ensure cross-pollination (important for some varieties).
Squeeze the bulb of the aspirator first to expel air.
Carefully touch the tip of the aspirator to the pollen to suck a small amount inside. The pollen should loosely sit in the bulb or at the tip.
Find the central structure of the flower — this is the stigma. It looks like a cluster of white or pale fingers rising above the yellow anthers.
The stigma must be open and sticky (receptive) for successful pollination.
Gently insert the tip of the aspirator near (not touching) the stigma.
Carefully release the bulb (or squeeze gently again if using it to puff air out) to blow the pollen onto the stigma.
Make sure some pollen lands on the stigma’s surface — a light dusting is enough.
You can repeat this process with other flowers or apply more pollen if needed.
Label hand-pollinated flowers (optional) to track fruit set.
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