Re: Re: HYB: Storing pollen

Linda, I do find the anthers are more brittle but since I use the ring finger (weakest) of my left hand to apply pollen, it doesn't require more pollen. What can I say? They are less complicated, inexpensive, and I can always find them. I can see where it would be more difficult for those that use the anther itself.
I've learned to transfer the pollen to the ring finger of my right hand and apply with it. (just this year) Always adapting.
This system works for me since all products can be found at the local market--ziplock bags, powdered milk, envelopes. I did find myself falling back on personal sized envelopes rather than the post-it-notes. It was just easier to grab a handful of envelopes, and it's my habit. At the end of every season, my hybridizing bag is filled with envelopes that have or had pollen. Most never make it to the freezer. I find them handy for transporting pollen from one part of the garden to another.
<<My only issue with using the anthers this way is that they are brittle. >> 

Betty Wilkerson
Bridge In Time Irises
KY
Zone 6


-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Archer <pharcher@mindspring.com>
To: iris@hort.net
Sent: Sun, 25 May 2008 10:50 pm
Subject: Re: [iris] Re: HYB: Storing pollen
Yes, I have and have gotten a couple of pods on crosses in previous years that I 
had been trying to get for a while since blooming times weren't in sync.
My only issue with using the anthers this way is that they are brittle. Using tweezers to manipulate them on the stimatic lips is difficult and I end up using 3 or 4 anthers on one flower to make sure I get enough pollen on there. Sometimes with the anthers that are loaded with extensive amounts of pollen the pollen falls off in the tube and I can pick it up with a small paint brush or 
simply dump it out of the tube (carefuly) onto the stigma.
Also, I would recommend using silca gel in some sort of sealed mini package or pre-portioned form. Loose silica gel is just very messy and can get into your 
pollen.
Here's a link where you can purchase various forms and sizes of dessicants as well as humidity cards to indicate the humidity level inside your container before you put it in the freezer. Also so you can make sure your dessicant has been thourougly dried enough before you use it. As indicated on the website 
this seller also sells on eBay if you care.
I have not purchased any of these items from this company so I cannot attest to the anything about this company. However, I had managed to collect some similar items used in prescription bottles I had gotten and liked using the packets much better than the loose crystals. In the future I plan to order from them. Of course you can do your own search and see what you find. It's simply a starting 
place.

http://www.jakesmp.net/CSD_Silica_Gel/CSD_Silica_004_M.html


Paul Archer
Raleigh, NC  Zone 8


-----Original Message-----

From: Linda Mann <lmann@lock-net.com>
Sent: May 25, 2008 5:06 PM
To: iris@hort.net
Subject: [iris] Re: HYB: Storing pollen

Thanks for the suggestions, Paul.  Have you done this yourself?
Betty, did you leave it in the dried milk package while it was 
reaching

room temperature?

Or just in the paper packet?
Do you dry anthers at room temperature for a day or so before 
freezing?

 In dried milk container or out in the open?

<I went to the freezer and took out Renown pollen. I placed it on the
table for an hour to let it reach room temperature. Then I pollinated
1708-03 with the freezer pollen. >
--
Linda Mann east Tennessee USA zone 7/8
East Tennessee Iris Society <http://www.DiscoverET.org/etis>
Region 7, Kentucky-Tennessee <http://www.aisregion7.org>
American Iris Society web site <http://www.irises.org>
talk archives: <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-talk/>
photos archives: <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-photos/>
online R&I <http://www.irisregister.com>

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