7 replies to this topic

[Stu]

Hi, quick question to those in the know...

Can Dionaea pollen be saved and stored for a short while (days/weeks) in a similar way to Sarracenia pollen?
The reason being that the pollen-donating flower is now open and the receiving flower is a little behind in growth!

I had a quick search but couldn't find any advice on the subject.

Regards,

Edited by Stu, 19 May 2012 - 15:07 PM.

[ada]

I don't see why not,worth a try and let us know Stu.
ada

[Ian Salter]

The book James and Patricia Pietropaolo Carnivorous plants of the world explains that you can store pollen in wax paper for 2 months they go on to say that pollen for other varieties of plants can be frozen for years but unsure if it would work with Carnivorous plants.
I have pollen in the fridge right now but just for a matter of 3 or 4 days. it will be used today.

The only way to find out if pollen can be frozen (other than someone else that has already done it) is to freeze the pollen for a year, make a cross with it, later collect the seed, then germinate the seed and wait a year or two for the result that could take 3-4 years to find out if it worked.

[ada]

Ian, if you get seed from the thawed out pollen,you will already have your answer!
if the pollen wasn't still fertile you wouldn't get any seed at all would you.
ada

[Ian Salter]

yea but one knock or gust of wind and the plant may self pollinate unless you go at it with tweezers before it can produce pollen.

[ada]

sorry Ian, i took it as read that you would have removed all the anthers before doing such a cross,just to make sure it was the stored pollen doing its job.
ada

[Ian Salter]

No, I'm too sloppy for that and usually just bash the flowers together.
Not quite but I generally pollinate the plants over a few days and leave the rest to nature (that often does a better job)
But you are right and that would be the thing to do.
Let's all freeze some pollen then.

Edited by Ian Salter, 20 May 2012 - 19:14 PM.

[Stu]

Thanks for the advice guys.

For the record, I am already removing stigmas of the donating flowers and the anthers will be coming off the receiving ones when open. (Yes I am a little obsessed with my tweezers!)

I have started to collect the pollen today (tiny amount so far) and am storing in the fridge. I doubt I'll have any spare to try a freezing experiment this year as I have removed all other flower stalks on my VFT's.

From what I have read about freezer storage of pollen for other species (including the genus Sarracenia), it is critical you dessicate the pollen first to remove all traces of water, otherwise cells will be too badly damaged.

I will have some Sarracenia pollen spare soon so I will be keeping some dry stored and some frozen to experiment with pollination next spring to determine long term viability.