Re: Storing Pollen
- To: i*@rt66.com
- Subject: Re: Storing Pollen
- From: R* T* D* <"r*@sierratel.com"@sierratel.com>
- Date: Wed, 11 Dec 1996 11:35:22 -0800
Jefrie Jenkins wrote:
> I find this idea of shipping pollen very interesting. How long is the pollen
> fertile?
> If it works to ship it I would assume this would be a good way to save pollen
> from one plant in my garden until the Pod parent I wish to use is ready to
> accept the Pollen.
> Would this work? Has anyone done this?
>
Jefrie,
Yes, absolutely. In my expeience, I have saved pollen from standard
dwarfs to cross with the talls for the past 6 years. I also will save
pollen from early blooming talls to cross with those that are late. All
I do is collect the pollen, put it in film canisters and mark what it
is. I do no other special treatment. I place these canisters in my
pantry which is dry and airy and use the pollen when I need it. I have
used the pollen this way for up to 6 weeks with success.
Not sure how long pollen can remain viable, but I heard that if its
frozen it can last a year or so. Maybe someone else out there has
something more definitive.
Rick Tasco
Central California
Member AIS, SIGNA, HIPS, MIS, ASI, RIS
Zone 8.5
