Re: frozen pollen viability, update

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Hello Dennis,

I've been following this discussion with interest and was about to ask you and the other list members just how long does the pollen last when properly stored?

Has any one done any experiments to find out?

Anita Clyburn

Terre Haute, Indiana

I joined Signa this past month and am looking forward to buying Iris seeds and planting them this year!

:^)

On Friday, January 16, 2015 10:18 AM, "Dennis Kramb d*@badbear.com [iris-species]" <i*@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

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I should give an update on my original post.

The 13-year old pollen of the aril iris Werckmeister's Clone #2 ended up NOT producing any viable seeds.

The 12-year old pollen of tetraploid pseudacorus Beuron also ended up NOT producing any viable seeds.

The 12-year old pollen of Iris x vinicolor however DID produce a pod full of seeds on Iris brevicaulis.

I sowed those seeds & I'm stratifying them now. I guess I'll know in a couple years if that pollen really worked.

I've used 2-year old pollen successfully, but I'm going to start a new rule to use it or lose it within 2 years. It's silly to keep frozen pollen for 12 or 13 years, especially for something like Beuron which is still in my garden.

Dennis in Cincinnati

On Fri, Jan 16, 2015 at 7:03 AM, Randall Dixon c*@yahoo.com [iris-species] <i*@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

i store pollen in a gelatin capsule inside a small tube designed for dna samples i have always thrown it away after a year will hold some now thanks dennis

On Sunday, June 15, 2014 9:54 AM, "Sean Zera z*@umich.edu [iris-species]" <i*@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

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I keep mine in glassine seed envelopes in tupperware with reusable indicator silica gel in the refrigerator, and eventually transfer them to the freezer without dessicant. This also takes up little space. I know I've used at least year-old frozen pollen successfully.

Sean Z

On Sun, Jun 15, 2014 at 1:04 AM, p*@goldfish.id.au [iris-species] <i*@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

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Hi,

I use the gelatine capsules like those used for medications. The name of theÂplant/cultivar can be written on the capsule with a suitable fine pen, and then large numbers of capsules canÂbe kept in an air-tightÂjar to which some dessicant has been added (I use indicator silica gel so I know when to replace it) and keep the whole jar in the freezer.ÂÂThe capsules are permeable to water vapour, so the pollen dries quickly in the closed capsule. ÂI've never tried to use pollen more than 12 months old, but 12-month pollen seems fine. This technique is much more partner friendly because the space required is quite small,Â