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Little-TON - Colorado

I am wanting to freeze come pollen for next year. I can get test tubes from the WizWife.....and freeze....any better suggestions and experience with this....Andy??

7/19/2007 10:44:21 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Wiz, Andy and I tried this, i tried to use pollen stored for a year....didnt work.

7/19/2007 11:38:15 AM

Western NY

went 0 for 8 or 10 with my attempts, which were the best methods available, i thought. next step would have to be liquid nitrogen, but i don't have that kind of access/ money.

7/19/2007 1:11:51 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Ok thanks for the info, I wont waste my time Ill have to plant two greenies next year.

7/19/2007 2:06:07 PM

Colorado

wiz, i'm planning to grow a greenie next year... you're welcome to some pollen if all goes well.

7/19/2007 7:45:52 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Your on LongMont Pete!

7/20/2007 8:28:19 AM

Wallingford,CT

I have pollen which was harvested and then flash frozen in liquid nitrogen. the seal tubes are stored at -70 degrees C. They have been there 2 years now and I keep forgetting to bring them home on dry ice at the right time for a trial. I have a small non-competition plant I will try to remember to use it on if it throws another female. I'm not optimistic about the outcome. It can be done with other plants but its always tricky and yield declines with storage age. Maybe I will store another batch to try next year.

7/20/2007 1:09:26 PM

Ontario, Canada.

The main problem with home freezing is condensation of water on the pollen grains during warming. The pollen may in fact be viable for a period of time after freezing. Several growers use refigerated pollen and have success.

7/22/2007 9:04:15 PM

Frankfort, KY

An idea for liquid nitrogen and the small tanks for them.... any farmer that does artificial insemination has the tanks (and often the nitrogen). Maybe you have a farmer neighbor you could talk to about that or you give you names so you could contact a genetics dealer.

I don't know how feasible that is for pollen storage, but it is a source that one may not readily think of being available and maybe even find the tanks used.

8/22/2007 3:12:59 PM