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Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

make sure you look for bees first. I was just sticking the vase in the fridge, and happened to look down and there was a bee in the blossom.

7/1/2004 12:42:52 PM

Deer Park WA

JMattW, We try and cut the male flowers just before they open, if you have bees in the blossums the pollen is probably all ready gone, or contaminated with other pollen. you can ensure the cross if you cover the males that are about to open the night before. Good luck

7/1/2004 1:35:55 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

I agree with Gads. If there's a bee in the blossom then you cannot be sure of the cross when you pollinate. All it takes is 1 bee landing on the stamen and that's it, purity is gone. I've had flowers in my hand and walking to the house before when a bee landed in one...it went to the compost pile.
For a "true" cross, you must cover the males and females the night, or two, before and then completely recover the female for at least 24 hours after pollination. Anything less is " x open"
In my opinion, there are no shortcuts in proper pollinations. Either be *very* controlled about it, or let the bees do it for you.
If I say one of my crosses is "dan x beth", you can bet your firstborn that's what it is.
Thank you for the soapbox opportunity :0)

7/1/2004 4:23:02 PM

Hudsonville, Michigan ([email protected])

Matt:
I use twisty ties to keep them shut before opening, and those little pantyhose footies over the female after pollination. At Kohl's or other shoe stores, they have those little footies in boxes for women to try on shoes. The manager at Kohl's just gave me a box of 'em no charge. Not sure what he thought I was going to do with them, though... :)
Kyle, FYI, 208 opening tomorrow am...948 going in...

Frank

7/1/2004 6:01:37 PM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

Thanks for the advice. I will do that.


Matt

7/2/2004 8:25:45 AM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

I actually did it correctly by accident. I went out to pollinate my 1230 this morning and noticed that it looked like there were enough 805 males that were close enough to opening that I could pry them open and give it a shot. This was my first time hand pollinating, so we'll have to see how it goes.

Thanks again!

Matt

7/2/2004 8:56:48 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

Congrats again Matt on the lil' missus. Wasn't tryin' to criticize you...I'm just anal about pollinations.
It took me 1.50 hrs to do 9 this morning.

7/2/2004 8:59:05 AM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

Kyle,

Thanks. I really do appreciate the feedback. Gotta learn somehow. I originally didn't think the 805 males were going to be close enough to opening to use, and so I decided to cut some 1230 blossoms and stick them in the fridge. This morning when I went out though it looked like the 805's were about to open so I used them instead. That's really the cross I wanted to make anyway. I just hadn't thought about the bees dropping pollen in the males, but that makes perfect sense.

Thanks again!

Matt

7/2/2004 1:47:54 PM