I know I have heard a couple of hybridizers mention the temperatures that pollen will take on a daffodil. Was it around the 60’s F that most thought pollen should be successful? It’s 43F here this afternoon in middle Tennessee. It’s only getting back into the 60’s on Thursday. I have lovely pollen from some of Bob Spott’s seedlings with N. viridiflorus background from the Atlanta Convention and I have a lot of daffs in bloom here with more to come. Should I take the stamens off the flowers and refrigerate the pollen until the temps warm up agai n? I know for long term I could also freeze it. Thanks for any advice!
The Show and Convention in Atlanta were amazing! Jaydee really knocked it out of the park with the Show and the whole Convention was one of the best! Certainly one for the record books. So MANY people contributed to its success, but Jaydee is our Superhero of the year!
I found a pretty nice frilly white split cup in the seedling bed today and a few late bulbocodiums!
Becky, From my experience in breeding daffodils in the 1990’s when the hybridizer’s robin was active, I did not worry about temperature. I was fortunate that here in Maryland, most of the temperatures were fairly constant in the 60’s and 70’s when the daffodils were in bloom. I often did my breeding in the afternoon—after I got home from work. The temperatures are generally higher in the afternoon. Refrigeration of blooms might be a better way of preserving pollen for a few days. Just some thoughts.
I will also share that I tried some other ways of preserving pollen, but in reflection, those ways may have worked—but with reduced viability of the pollen I may have had the result of less seed as a result. I did not keep records on that—so I offer only my thoughts based on my observations.
Becky,
I am faced with the same decisions. While today will reach a high of 50, tonight will drop below freezing. Wed and Thus. looks better with highs in the 50’s and 60’s but rain enters into the picture also, as well as lows below freezing Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I would prefer to wait for better temperatures and conditions but my season is growing short and I won’t have suitable pod parents much longer. Guess I will have to go ahead and make a few crosses today, most tomorrow and hope for the best. I would suggest saving your pollen as soon as possible if in good condition and keep dry and refrigerated. I almost waited too long to collect my pollen from stems saved at the convention, it does not look as good as it did Saturday night. Good luck with your crosses!
Over the years there were times when I was unable to make crosses in optimum conditions. I did find that I often had better seed set in our typical slight drizzle here in Oregon than I did if it became too hot especially if it was very dry. Obviously a normal dry day near 60 to 70 degrees F is the ideal.
Elise
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Hi Becky,
I think I wrote an article for the ADS journal on this subject but can’t find it easily. My recollection is that at 10C (50F) pollen “sprouted” but grew very slowly, and that 20 -25C (68- 77F) was optimal. Could be wrong.
Pollen needs to be kept dry so I usually put anthers in a gelatine capsule, shake them so that the pollen coats the capsule, tip the anthers out immediately because they contain moisture, and store the capsules in a container with silica gel.
I tried a new trick for pollinating this year. I used to apply pollen with tweezers or similar but I have found that the cut down wing feather of a small bird works perfectly – it is gentle and it scoops up pollen out of a capsule and releases it easily. (I use the feathers of the Indian myna which is a pest bird here.)
I appreciate all the comments on application of pollen as I too try to
learn better techniques in applying pollen. I think this is a generac
question of all hybridizers.
Clay
Thank you all! This forum is a wealth of knowledge and I appreciate all the information!