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Corryton, TN

Can pollen be stored in some fashion to be used in the future? If so how long will it be viable?

1/27/2008 7:25:26 AM

Syracuse, NY

yeah, it has been done using a liquid nitrogen
tank that had been used for cattle breeding purposes
by i think Lincoln Mettler, but who really has the
resources or the longevity themselves to carry it on
for years and years...not even sure how well it worked.
the pollen would probably be viable forever if frozen
that cold--far, far below zero F.

2/1/2008 1:27:43 AM

Lloydminster/AB

http://www.princetoncryo.com/ My research indicates that storing pollen should work as long as the pollen is dry enough and in good shape. There is a wealth of information out there if you look. The process is quite expensive but not out of range.

2/1/2008 10:35:28 AM

brotherdave -
I know this is done by hybridizers of other types of plants.
Here's a link to a hosta site I frequent that talks about how to store pollen in the freezer for future use - http://www.hostalibrary.org/hyb/index.html -
if it works for hosta, it could work for pumpkins, but as I've never grown a giant pumpkin, don't take my word for it :)
Jim

2/9/2008 1:20:23 PM