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Kutztown, PA

I asked about freezing pollen last year and there were several different responses. As I recall, most said it doesn't work. Of course that means I have to try it. Has anyone tried the method describe below:

Collect pollen only from flowers that are just about to open. This will prevent contamination by foreign pollen brought in by insects. It is also important to dip forceps in 50% alcohol (Vodka, undiluted, will substitute for alcohol) to avoid contamination between varieties.
Collect only the anthers not the filament to which they are attached.

Place the anthers from 1-2 flowers in size 0 gelatin capsules. Don't fill capsules more than half full. Capsules that are very large may make working with small-flowered varieties difficult.

Capsules may be obtained at most drug stores although in some areas you may
need a prescription to obtain them.

Capsules should be labeled with string tags glued on with epoxy or by using magic transparent Scotch tape.

Dry pollen in the capsules in open containers in the refrigerator (not the freezer section) for 3 days - the refrigerator will dry the pollen.

Some people prefer to dry the pollen by placing the capsules in a closed jar with some desiccating material at room temperature for a few hours. Place a loose layer of cotton between the desiccant and the capsules. Never put damp pollen directly into the freezer as this may cause the pollen grains to burst.

Pollen, when dry, should be stored in the freezer in sealed glass jars containing a desiccant, such as calcium chloride or silica gel. Silica gel is available at many nurseries and hobby supply shops as a material for drying flowers.
The "Tell-Tale" type has dark blue crystals that turn pink as they absorb moisture. It can be dried out for re-use by placing it in a 300° oven for a few hours.

6/20/2023 1:27:00 PM

Grittyville, WA

Pumpkin pollen is not like normal pollen, the grains are actually quite huge, 100x the volume of a "normal size" pollen (like clover pollen for example), which probably means nature doesnt intend for it to be airborne, which probably means nature doesnt mean for it to dry out. And if nature hasn't designed it to dry out, then it may lose viability rather than successfully dry out. I've tried and failed to freeze it. I don't really know if anyone has been successful...

6/20/2023 4:30:34 PM

Grittyville, WA

Lincoln Mettler tried liquid nitrogen, which theoretically should work because it freezes things so fast that large ice crystals dont form hence less damage to the cell. But I dont know if this technique ever produced a pumpkin.

6/20/2023 4:52:02 PM

Lodi, California

I'd love to know your findings, storing pollen in the freezer could be useful

6/21/2023 1:36:08 AM

Ontario, Canada.

Been low on flowers due the cold weather. Last week used refrigerated pollen. Failed! Never had much success with stored pollen.

6/23/2023 8:05:46 AM

Syracuse, NY

Somebody aughtta smack the tar outta some anthers onto a plate, let the pollen dry for a few days in an open, yet protected place and then, see if THAT works on a female or two - George Constanza did something similar - something opposite. Certainty of the cross and method would be essential.
Hmmm...hmmm...I could try it in prolly mid-July, lol---eg
I Need Somebody - Hey, what about you!???!
Well, you get it---eg

6/23/2023 8:12:38 PM