Re: SAGE: Doctor No pollen

Bill and all,
 
As Dr. No continues to rebloom for me, unfortunately the weather has been too hot here already (100 Degrees today) to collect and store any pollen.  I have however, frozen much DRNO pollen already, so I am good to go.
 
I wanted to let you know that you can use the pollen straight from the freezer on your flowers without having to allow them to thaw first.  I have used two frozen anthers already and both took!
 
I think the trick is to immediately take the anthers out of the container they are in before condensation builds up on them and ruins the pollen.  Applying them to the flower immediately either allows them to thaw out there, or I suspect it is thawed enough from the time you go from the freezer to the flower.
 
I am not sure this will work for everyone, or what the preferred method currently is to use frozen pollen, but I suggest you give it a try and see how it works for you.
 
Bill, thank you for your consideration of everyone with regards to the pollen you are freezing and distributing.  I believe you WILL have to allow the pollen to thaw and completely dry before packaging for shipment, won't you?  I have never mailed pollen before, so I am not sure, but it makes sense in my mind at least.
 
Patrick Orr
Phoenix, AZ  Zone 9
USA
----- Original Message -----
From: o*@aol.com
To: s*@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, April 26, 2004 8:16 AM
Subject: [SpaceAgeRobin] SAGE: Doctor No pollen

A few days ago I collected and partially dehydrated anthers from several Doctor No blooms. I then packaged and froze the anthers individually.

Three days later I allowed one container of pollen to thaw and used that pollen.

I pollinated four blooms with thawed pollen and had a 50% strike rate.

I have a few of these containers (about a dozen) still frozen and will distribute them as far as they will go among SAGE participants. If you wish to try this Doctor No pollen send me your address and the approximate date you would like it sent. I will attempt to mail the pollen as needed.

Smiles,
Bill Burleson

Yahoo! Groups Links
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index