Pollen viability tests

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BarryRice
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Pollen viability tests

Post by BarryRice »

Hi guys

Given that I have ready access to compound microscopes, which of the pollen stains are effective with Cactaceae? Or if the test is to watch the pollen germinate, what should I use as a germination fluid? Both purified water, 0.5% sucrose, and juice squeezed from a grape simply resulted in the pollen rupturing...

Cheers

Barry
I'll grow it as long as it doesn't have glochids. Gaudy flowers a plus.
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kristian_Fossmo
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Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2015 1:31 pm
Location: Orebro, Sweden

Re: Pollen viability tests

Post by kristian_Fossmo »

This might help: http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/con ... 5.full.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Looks like 5-10% sucrose would be the best amount to try, and I dont think you want to put the pollen into liquid, the low osmolarity of purified water and 0,5% sucrose concentration will make the water try to dilute the pollengrains relativly high osmolarity, to the point of rapture. Try solidifyed agar, and germinate them in high humidity, then maybe they will absorb the amount of water they need...maybe :)?
"When the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another heaven and another earth must pass before such a one can be again."
William Beebe, 1906
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