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Stafford, Virginia

I don't have enough room to grow the additional two plants I feel I need to get the genetic base so I've got two good gardeners who will grow a single plant each. What I need to know is: If I were to collect pollen from one location and take it to another location to pollinate there, are there temperature, light and/or time limits that would need to be taken into account to be successful ? If I were to use a small paint brush to collect/store in an airtight tube to transport how many female blossoms would you service with that one brush to assure complete fertilization? Would you consider picking the whole male flower and taking it to the female plant location ?

4/18/2002 9:42:03 AM

Edmonton, Canada

I would remove the entire male flower and bring it where ever you wanted. That would give you the best chance of a proper pollination.

4/18/2002 10:11:28 AM

canal winchester ohio

If having enough pollen is your worry..Do Not Worry !!!
Pollen can be stored in airtight containers & kept up to 10 days. I'll tell how I've done it with very good success.
The morning the males open I pick them all & peel all the pedals off of them. Then I take a toothpick & carefully scrape all the pollen into the container ( do all the males you have this way) When your done seal the container, label the date on it & place it into the fridge.
When you need it just take it out & use a small artist brush to dip into the pollen & then pollinate the female.
I've used pollen I've stored for over a week on females & they took......
Paul

4/18/2002 11:18:30 AM

Utah

I agree with Smitty i'd pick the whole flower.
as far as how long will they last...
I have read in the literature that the pollen is only viable for a few hours. but i have heard from growers who say they
have pick male flowers - put them in a plastic baggy then placed them in the refrigerator or freezer and used then 1-2 even 3 days later and were successful in pollination. you want to keep the flowers dry and cold.

good luck
gordon

4/18/2002 11:22:07 AM

Utah

... ok PA...
Hoss here... aparently I was writing my post while you were too.
sounds to me like you've got a good method down pat.
i'll have to try it this year.

4/18/2002 11:25:42 AM