Arghya Gardens

Pollen Collection and storage

*Please note: Although collection of Brugmansia pollen
is illustrated you may use this same procedure for Passiflora, Amaryllis, Hibiscus, etc.
                                                   

The predominant problem encountered by the hybridizer is available flowers for pollination. Some Passiflora bloom in Spring, some in Summer. As a result, opportunities for hybridizing are lost. The solution is pollen collection and storage. The procedure is easily learned, and the results of using stored pollens can be rewarding.

The most important part of the process is the storage tube. These small "micro" tubes have attached lids that snap into the tube to provide protection for the pollen inside. They are readily available from on-line science supply resources and eBay. Sold in lots of 500 or 1000 tubes, one purchase can have you prepared for years to come. Silica gel is also an important part of the process. It too is sold on-line or may be obtained at your local hobby supply store. Here is the procedure. The illustrations show the procedure for Brugmansia, but the process for Passiflora or Amaryllis is the same.

List of supplies:

1. Silica Gel
2. Micro Tubes
3. Dissection kit
4. Ziploc containers with snap on lids.
5. A dinner plate.
6. Precut pieces of paper (2" x 3") folded in half.
7. Marking Pen



Using the tweezers from your dissection kit, collect as many pollen laden anthers as you can from one variety of Passiflora.
Place them on a clean dinner plate. When you have a reasonable sized pile of them, find a comfortable place to work where 
lighting is bright and you have space to spread out some. Take the scalpel from the kit and holding the anther with your tweezers
begin scraping the pollen on to one of the precut papers.



When you have finished removing all the pollen from your collected anthers, carefully transfer the pollen to one of your micro tubes.
Don't forget to write the name of your pollen on the tube.



Fill one of your Ziploc containers with enough silica gel to enable the tubes to stand upright when placed inside.
Place the open micro tube into the silica gel. When you have finished transferring all of your pollen, and have all
the open micro tubes in the silica gel container, snap the lid on the Ziploc container.

It is a good idea to leave the micro tubes in the closed silica gel container for at least 3 to 4 days. This assures the pollen is
dry and helps prevent the formation of mold due to moisture. After the drying period, remove the micro tubes, snap the lids on, transfer them to an empty Ziploc container, snap the lid on and place it in your freezer.

Viability of different pollens may vary, but we have been successful using previously frozen pollens for a least a year. If you are
using previously frozen pollens and find your rate of producing fruit diminishes, switch to a more recently stored vial or another variety. The last photo depicts a small platter of pollen from out of season flowers ready for use on currently blooming flowers.



It is a good idea to leave the micro tubes in the closed silica gel container for at least 3 to 4 days. This assures the pollen is dry and
helps prevent the formation of mold due to moisture. After the drying period, remove the micro tubes, snap the lids on, transfer them
to an empty Ziploc container, snap the lid on and place it in your freezer.

    

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