Astrophytum pollen question

redg408 · Post by **redg408** » Mon May 11, 2009 3:33 am

Hey long can you store the pollen of Astrophytum before it goes bad? Because my Astrophytum don't flower all at the same time and I want to cross pollinate them.

Silenus · Post by **Silenus** » Tue May 12, 2009 3:48 pm

It depends on how it is stored. To prolong the life you should collect it on a q-tip, place the q-tip into a ziplock bag and then put it in your freezer. I have heard of people storing it for 3+ months using this method.

redg408 · Post by **redg408** » Thu May 14, 2009 6:34 am

OK, thanks I'll try this.

jumperke · Post by **jumperke** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 10:47 am

A late answer, but better late than never :p.
If you take the pollen of a flower, never let them in your greenhouse or something, cause they go bad very quickly.
Do like Silenus said, put the brush in a ziplock bag and put it in your freezer.
It gives good results...
It's a very good method for the guys who want to make hybrids, cause not all the plants gives flowers on the same time you know!

jerko