Re: Saving Pollen

---

El,

I let the pollen only dry for a few hours, before placing it into the vials.  Longer and it seems to get hard.  With Hemerocallis I leave it overnight, as it tends to stay fluffy, so not all plants are alike, maybe even under the iris.  If it is a cultivar with lots of pollen (I never seem to have these!), then gather some on a cotton swab for shipping, as the anther may still contain moisture and shorten the 'shelf life'. 

Mailing can be made very simple by using a padded envelope for the vials.  I have even sent pollen in a small plastic zip envelope on a cotton swab with success.  Just dried a day and into the envelope, then to the post.  As with general storage, it is moisture that destroys pollen.  Keeping it dry and airtight and it will be OK for a few days. 


Jamie


Am 14.01.2011 18:08, schrieb Eleanor Hutchison:

Thanks Jamie.  I guess a more complete question should have included how are you preparing the pollen before placing in the fridge.  How long do you let it air dry first?

 

And if you're mailing it, how do you ensure it's still viable when it arrives at its destination?

 

El

From: j*@freenet.de

Sent: Friday, January 14, 2011 10:55 AM

To: i*@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [iris-species] Saving Pollen

 

El,

I typically harvest the anthers and place them in a small, snap-topped vial with dessicating gel and a small cotton-wool stopper to seperate them.  Then into the refrigerator, if I plan to use it the same season.  One can freeze pollen for use in the next season, although I have found iris pollen not very long lived.  The real trick is to keep the pollen dry!  At room temperature it has a life of maybe 48 hours, from my experience.

When I dab pollen, I use a cotton swab or lift the anther with a pair of fine tweezers and dust the stigmatic lamella.  This is best with smaller species/cultivars, but one often drops or breaks the anther, thus loosing the pollen.  Can get tricky.

-- 
Jamie V.

_______________________

KÃln (Cologne)
Germany
Zone 8 

Am 14.01.2011 16:30, schrieb Eleanor Hutchison:

Morning all.

 

Since we're all gearing up for the 2011 bloom season, does anyone have tips and tricks for saving and storing pollen?  Plus, if you're mailing it to someone else, how are you doing that?

 

Thank you!

 

El, Ste Anne, Manitoba, Canada Z3

-- 
Jamie V.

_______________________

KÃln (Cologne)
Germany
Zone 8