Re: Re: HYB: Applying Pollen
From: Gerry Snyder <gcsnyd@loop.com>
Cathy Leece wrote:
>
> From: "Cathy Leece" <wetdog@uslink.net>
>
> I have been following the thread about moistening pollen with saliva when
> applying it to the stigma. I would think that the digestive enzymes in
> saliva would be detrimental to the pollen. Any comments?
Well, the only digestive enzyme in the saliva that I know of is the one
that converts starch (complex carbohydrate, which we used to know as
empty calories) to sugar (simple carbohydrate).
It takes about 5 minutes to start working. If you doubt this, rub the
salt off a saltine, put it in your mouth and chew it up. Salivate a lot
if you can. Keep it there for several minutes. It will start to taste
sweet.
I suspect that there is not a lot of starch in a pollen grain, and that
the growth happens quickly, so I doubt that the enzyme(s) will be a
problem.
Gerry
PS Don't ask how the Japanese used to make sake (rice wine) before they
discovered the mold that turns the rice starch to sugar.
--
g*@loop.com
Gerry Snyder, AIS Symposium Chair
Region 15 Ass't RVP, JT Chair
Member San Fernando Valley, Southern California Iris Societies
in warm, winterless Los Angeles
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