Astrophytum pollen

[Hanazono]

I used asterias pollen and did trial of the preservation. I plannd three stages i.e. 3 month, 6 month and 1 year preservations.
I have completed 3 month presevation and pollination torial.
I will try 6 month and 1 year when time come.
Hanazono
1. Father plant

2. Collection of pollen on 12th July 2010
The photo is after collected pollen.

3. Pollen in an empty gelatine capsel
Dried pollen on paper and filled in an empty capsel

4. The capsel with moisture absover in a plastic bin
This was kept in a fridge.

5. Mother plant
Pollinated using preserved pollen on 7th October 2010

6. Fruit
Fooked pollination date tag
I could see a fruit this morning.

[Christer Johansson]

That's a meticulous experiment! I like it

[Mastrocarpus]

Dear Hanazono, I like it too!
real great knowledge you're sharing! Thanks!
I'd like to ask you what you mean by:

3. Pollen in an empty gelatine capsel
Dried pollen on paper and filled in an empty capsel

1 - Do you mean to let the pollen dried out on a piece of paper before putting it into the empty gelatine capsel ?
2 - Not in the sun, but deep shadow (almost total darkness? like in a cardboard box?)

thanks for your marvellous contribution