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Grants Pass, Oregon

I am waiting to pollinate my 1247 Handy, it wont be ready for another day or two. My question is this, if I took male flowers from the 1225 Jutras and took them inside in water, how long would the pollin be good for? A day or two? How potent would the pollen be after a few days in the house? I really want to do a 1247 x 1225 cross . Thank you

7/10/2006 2:37:40 PM

[email protected]

Cary,

Shake some into a folded piece of wax paper & stick it in the fridge. It'll be good for weeks.

7/10/2006 4:14:03 PM

Mulino, Oregon

Cary if you pick the males in the evening that are to open the next day, put them in water and in the fridge, they will keep for several days (5-7). I always use the fresh ones first and then finish off the flower with the refrigerated ones.

7/10/2006 8:49:01 PM

Farmington, Utah

cary, you can freeze the pollen. you have to remove it rom the flower. dont freeze the flower. it will be a soggy mess.

7/10/2006 8:57:08 PM

Grants Pass, Oregon

Thank you Jim, Kenny, Steve

7/10/2006 10:25:11 PM

sevierville, Tn

so I could save pollen in the freezer for next year and it would work just as well as fresh??? Store how?? like in a small vial or bottle?? Thanks

7/10/2006 11:06:39 PM

Hudsonville, Michigan ([email protected])

I've noticed that if you put the flowers in water in the fridge, the stamen and pollen seems 'wetter' than usual when you go to pollinate, especially if storing more than just overnight. Last year I had a few 'not take' under those circumstances, though it may have also been the heat that caused the abort. Just my observation. I then went to wrapping the base of the flower in a damp paper towel and placing in an empty cup (no water in the cup, just the moist paper towel) in the fridge. I agree with Kenny on the frozen pollen...it must be removed from the flower. I put the frozen stuff in small HDPE pill bottles. My pollination rate has been lower with frozen than fresh stuff, though. Successfully saving pollen for a full year would probably require some advanced skill.

7/11/2006 7:21:55 AM

ENGLAND

Male Flowers, that have been stored in the fridge, should be allowed to sit in room temperature for at least an hour prior to using them. Cover with muslin or cheese cloth first to allow flower/pollen to breath and dry out without any bigs getting into them. Some folks place the males in front of an oven with the door open to warm up and dry the pollen out.

7/11/2006 7:57:34 AM

ENGLAND

Bigs ?? Meant Bugs.

7/11/2006 7:58:21 AM