Great Way To Save Pollen and Seeds

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Posted by @Cat on
It's great to find inexpensive and easy things to help around the garden!

I try to visit my local Dollar stores at least every other week during the spring and summer. You never know what goodies you might find to help around the garden! On my last visit I found some small containers. The package says "storage containers," but to me they look like the type of containers you usually get with a paint-by-number set (or closely resemble them). They had two different sizes.
Thumb of 2014-06-28/Cat/cb72b8 Thumb of 2014-06-28/Cat/b0f7f9

The small size works great for saving pollen. I just cut a cotton ball in half, which will then fit into two small containers. I collect the stamen in a small bowl and then just scrape the pollen off the anthers onto the cotton ball.
Thumb of 2014-06-28/Cat/65e61a Thumb of 2014-06-28/Cat/8b621d
Thumb of 2014-06-28/Cat/d34f49
You can write the cultivar name on a piece of scotch tape (in order to re-use the containers). Once I get the pollen inside and close the container, I write the name on the scotch tape and attach it to the outside of the container.

Thumb of 2014-06-28/Cat/d4e62f Thumb of 2014-06-28/Cat/455cd3
Thumb of 2014-06-28/Cat/d57e32
Then just refrigerate or freeze as you normally would.
The larger size will come in handy for storing seeds once they've been harvested.
Thumb of 2014-06-29/Cat/78c7a3

So be on the look out for those great inexpensive finds that can help you around the garden!








 
Comments and Discussion
Thread Title Last Reply Replies
Untitled by KateHannon Feb 1, 2016 10:11 AM 2
Tiny plastic containers for pollen and seeds by RickCorey Sep 12, 2014 12:46 PM 37

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