Connie--You mentioned the second part of a question I was going to use as a follow up. You mentioned boric acid. She most likely used that to adjust the pH of the sucrose solution to a certain number. But what number is best for lilium. That I have to find out, too

Joe, the stigmatic fluid is high in sucrose. We're trying to duplicate the natural stigmatic fluid. I somehow didn't get that defined in my first post.

Yes, the boric acid is to adjust the pH. She gave it as a percent, mass/volume. I just don't remember what percent; she also gave sucrose as percent.

Ok interesting. I knew about the tubes but I thought that the pollen created the tunes and went down the style. In the McRae book he also says that you can "borrow" stigmatic fluid from other lilies that may exude more such as trumpets.

I guess that might work if the stigmatic fluid is not contaminated. Maybe I will try it out tomorrow. Or maybe just take a look at stigmatic fluid that I am sure is already contaminated. I've been wanting to do this sort of thing but but my motivator has been worn out of late.

Fascinating information guys! Next summer I will experiment...

I use q-tips to make my crosses. Use them only once.

I store mine in the freezer in old medicine pill bottles.

Yep. Q-tips. That's what I use also. Just gently roll it on!

I used little crappy paintbrushes and washed them afterwords.

Yes, GENTLY apply the pollen! No need, and no advantage, to rubbing. Rubbing can damage plant tissues.

When I can, I prefer to dab pollen directly from freshly picked stamen. With the anther (holding the pollen) being so dangly, it's impossible to damage the stigma. Sometimes you'll swear nothing is coming off the anther and on to the stigma (and you'll be tempted to apply more pressure), but just keep at it. Depending on the type of lily and age of the flower (and the amount of pollen available), I've been known to "dangle" on a single stigma for an entire minute. It really does make a difference. Also, sometimes you will think there is no pollen left on the anther, but somehow there is!

You are quite the "dangler" Rick! I like using the fresh anthers too. Easy too apply and when I'm done I just throw it on the ground.

Mission Accomplished.



X




=


Taken on July 30th. Note upward pointing style (success).

And today, August 5th. Stem in the middle, pods pointing skyward to the left and right of center (success).

this thread is excellent.....
Still not sure if the pollen I took off Album and put right in the fridge without drying it will be ok to use or not though??
I can try to get some more out in the garden hopefully before they are done but this one in the fridge is just as the flower was opening.....

will dry the rest from now on
read somewhere they used the old containers that film came in as well........

thanks for all this info......it really helps

Pat I'm probably drying more pollen than you but I use those little paper Dixie cups so I can write what it is and when I collected it.

Joebass said:Pat I'm probably drying more pollen than you but I use those little paper Dixie cups so I can write what it is and when I collected it.

Joe that is a great idea.......will get some of those.....not sure how many I will need.......but the cups keep forever.....
what about the pollen I just took off the plant and did not dry and put in the fridge......do I just toss it out then....?

If it's not moldy it should be ok but if you have other blooms of the same kind, why not start fresh?

Here's a little sample of my method for anyone who cares



My collection of pollens not yet frozen

A Dixie cup with cultivar name and date pollen collected.

Most pollen I collect is fresh to the day. Sometimes unopened. Sometimes I take anthers on day 2 but I really want as much pollen as I can get. I also don't want any contamination from the bugs.

They stay in the Dixie cups for 4-7 days (out of laziness I've also left them out for 10 days) and then get frozen in a coin envelope and labeled. If I need to use the pollen that's frozen I open the envelope while still in the freezer and get some with my paint brush or q-tip and put it back it the freezer saw it is not constantly thawed and frozen.