Re: RE: HYB: Getting Ready

In a message dated 2/25/2005 6:48:44 A.M. Central Standard Time,  
MryL1@msn.com writes:

Notebook  getting wet is a perpetual problem.


Mary Lou,  I use one of the 9 1/2 X 6 Inch note books.  I  keep all of my 
supplies, the notebook, tags, tweezers and spare  envelopes in a 1 gallon plastic 
storage bag to keep the dew off.  If I  have pollen in the bag, I make sure I 
lay it on the shady side of things while  I'm making the crosses.  The 
plastic can heat up quick.  
 
I tried one of those little carry along's with a handle, but notebook  didn't 
fit and I found it too awkward.  
 
I do have massive amounts of blooms and got in the habit of snapping them  
off when I 'borrowed' pollen from a friend's garden!  I wasn't expecting to  
collect pollen and didn't have any envelopes with me.  But I've found that  
carrying the bloom with me cuts out the step of having to write on an  envelope.  
If I have several crosses I want to make with the same pollen I  try to do them 
at the same time.  But I couldn't bear the thought of  snapping blooms for 
the first several years. 
 
My hybridizing program comes way ahead of the shows.  But when I do  show 
(1-5 stalks) I usually mark/stake the stalk so I won't damage  it. I can't safely 
transport more than a few stalks.   
 
When you save pollen with the Q-tips, you put them in an envelope and  write 
the information on the envelope?  Have you tried freezing pollen this  way?  
Drying anthers can be a problem with my kitties.  I have to  remember to put 
the pollen (on paper plates) into a room where I can close the  guys out. One in 
a real plant pain and will mess with anything that smells  of outside.  Then 
I risk forgetting it's there.  
 
In almost 20 years of using my finger to apply pollen I've broken 2 style  
crests, but in both cases the cross still took.  I use my ring finger since  
it's the weakest. Practice makes perfect they say. I never think of a  cross and 
then have to go get my materials!  (I'm trying to follow the  'program' this 
year!!)
 
Never got the hang of the paint brush.  I suspect I tried the Q-tips  at one 
point.  
 
Betty W. in  South-central KY Zone 6
Bridge In Time Iris Garden@website:
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