Re: HYB: Dry Pollen
- Subject: Re: HYB: Dry Pollen
- From: B* S*
- Date: Thu, 04 Feb 1999 09:56:53 -0400
From: Bill Shear <BILLS@hsc.edu>
>It might be worth a try to enclose a slice of apple and the dried anthers
>(not touching) in a plastic bag overnight. The extra moisture couldn't
>hurt but would anyone venture a guess whether the gasses in the apple
>might have any unforseen effects on the pollen?
Apples and most other ripe fruits produce ethylene, which plants use as a
ripening and senesence hormone. I do not know of any effects on pollen.
Ethylene is said to induce blooming in bromeliads--an old tale is that if
you have a bromeliad that is reluctant to bloom, enclose it in a bag with a
few apples for a couple of days. I don't know if this works.
But why use apples? Why not just a damp paper towel and avoid any possible
problems?
Bill Shear
Department of Biology
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney VA 23943
(804)223-6172
FAX (804)223-6374
email<bills@hsc.edu>
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