Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
Specific Families and Genera => Pleione and Orchidaceae => Topic started by: Kevin on November 24, 2011, 03:06:14 PM
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Hi,
I was toying with the idea of starting some hybridising at home this coming year and was wonder if someone can help me with my questions.....
How long can one store Pleione pollen without effecting it's viability?
If pollen is viable for a few months then I assume dry storage in the fridge is fine?
I'm thinking that cutting the pollinia in half and using it for 2 different pollinations is also OK?
Thanks for your thoughts in advance.
Kind Regards,
Kevin ???
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Hi Kevin,
Pollen will keep for several weeks, probably a few months, just in the fridge. This is how the autumn flowering plants can be crossed with the spring ones. If you want to keep it longer term it can be frozen and it will last at least a couple of years. Make sure it is dry before putting it in the fridge – just keep it in a warm, dry room for a day or two first.
Each Pleione has 4 pollinia (2 pairs) in its pollen cap and you can cut these into the 4 separate bits and use each one separately. If you want to do more crosses than 4 with pollen from the same parent, you could cut each of the 4 pollinia in half to give 8 bits. You may end up with less seed developing in any successful pods if you use just a small portion.
Paul
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Thanks Paul,
I thought that your information about pollen storage might be this might be the case as I've had some dealings with pollen from other plants.
The info about cutting the pollen up is helpful.
thanks for your information.
Regards, Kevin