1736 Eagle Drive
Hixson, TN 37343
Phone: 423.842.4630
Email: LeePickles@epbfi.com
Hixson, TN 37343
Phone: 423.842.4630
Email: LeePickles@epbfi.com
© 2011 All rights reserved
There are probably as many ways to freeze pollen as there are hybridizers using
frozen pollen. Some use the Q-tip method where they scrape the pollen from the
anther onto a Q-tip and then put it in a film cannister to freeze. Another method is to
use small vials, scrape the pollen from the anther into the vial, then freeze it. Others
use the same vial but put the whole anther in. My method works fine for me and it is
the "KISS" method . . . "keep it simple, stupid"!
frozen pollen. Some use the Q-tip method where they scrape the pollen from the
anther onto a Q-tip and then put it in a film cannister to freeze. Another method is to
use small vials, scrape the pollen from the anther into the vial, then freeze it. Others
use the same vial but put the whole anther in. My method works fine for me and it is
the "KISS" method . . . "keep it simple, stupid"!
| The anthers are collected in an egg carton, one compartment for each cultivar. The egg carton is then taken into the house and placed under a ceiling fan for 2-3 hours to dry. |
When dry, the pollen is transferred to my bulk storage.
For this I use a 28 compartment pill box. The pill box is
then put in a zip lock bag and placed in the freezer. I
can keep adding more anthers to their individual
compartments. I have used pollen successfully after
storing for 5 years using this method.
For this I use a 28 compartment pill box. The pill box is
then put in a zip lock bag and placed in the freezer. I
can keep adding more anthers to their individual
compartments. I have used pollen successfully after
storing for 5 years using this method.
| When I want to use a cultivar for hybridizing, I transfer a few anthers to a smaller pill box. When through hybridizing, the pill box goes into a zip lock bag and is placed in the freezer. When removing from the freezer to use, allow the bag to warm about 15 to 20 minutes before opening. This also dries any moisture that has collected on the plastic. |
The pollen on the anther should be
yellow and fluffy. If it is hard, or is
almost white, it probably is not good.
yellow and fluffy. If it is hard, or is
almost white, it probably is not good.
Freezing Pollen . . .
I collect stamens from the
flower, sometimes even
before the anther is open,
break the stamen off and
slide it through my thumb
and forefinger until the
anther pops off.
flower, sometimes even
before the anther is open,
break the stamen off and
slide it through my thumb
and forefinger until the
anther pops off.
| Hundreds of seed pods on daylilies. Because of the control of the climate, setting pods in a greenhouse is much easier than out in the open air. Plus, the chance of getting a bee pod is almost zero. |
© 2011 All rights reserved
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| A left click over an image will enlarge it |