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What method is most desirable for transporting male flowers from a donor patch without losing all the pollen?

Along the same lines, how long can a vase of male flowers remain viable in the refrigerator?

6/17/2004 6:42:42 AM

Cologne / Germany

Can you get a test tube rack somewhere? Fill some water into the test tubes, place the males and carry the rack in a closed transport box. Saw someone doing this with roses for breeding purposes, why not for pumpkin flowers.

6/17/2004 7:28:28 AM

Kenyon, Mn.

Trained Bee's ! LOL J/K Ya Steve, the only way I have seen any type of pollen handled was to put the flower and a plain old (small) brown paper sack...and don't set it on dashboard when Ya stop for coffee!

6/17/2004 8:40:12 AM

Kenyon, Mn.

So Solly, flower IN a plain ol bag...and,LOL

6/17/2004 3:23:17 PM

Cut the flowers the night before they're gonna open, then stick 'em in water just like a cut flower. then transport. They might not be open all the way in the morning, but you can pry the petals open and the pollen will be ready to go. any fallen pollen will be tucked in the bottom of the flower.

or...you could use old film canisters or something similar, and cut the stamen off the males and put the whole thing in the film canister then transport it.

p.s. the first method works especially well in shannon's patch with a flashlight when he's at work at 11 pm and april is sleeping in the house without a clue.

6/17/2004 7:17:56 PM

In the shade - PDX, OR

Steve - you have mail.

6/17/2004 7:56:06 PM

Atlanta, Georgia

Beam them to the patch!

Sorry but I couldn't help myself this time...

I agree with Brigitte's first suggestion. Peter Frei
does this as well and it gives a much better chance of
uncontaminated pollination.
Michel

6/18/2004 3:15:44 AM

Long Island,New York

I use a 1 qt plastic container like the chinese soup comes in...or the potato salad comes in...cut 7 holes in the top, 6 in a circle and 1 in the middle, each hole just big enough for a flower stem...then I put water in it and cut males long enough to get water (the longer the better for balance)but short enough so that the base of the flower rests on the cover. Transport in the igloo cooler...works great........G

6/18/2004 2:31:43 PM