Life expectancy of Pollen? - Breeder's Laboratory - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

BOMBAYCAT · 06-04-2013, 11:39 PM

Since I was curious I wanted to see if I could do a little pollen chucking. I have been saving male pollen in the freezer as it flowers, but the females are outdoors plants and won't be ready for a couple months. Will the pollen keep that long in the freezer? The variety has been worked through F5 so I am not too worried about rogue Phenos. Thanks

blynx · 06-11-2013, 10:22 PM

You need to make sure the pollen is dried out before putting it in the freezer.

I put pollen in foil packets like you are, and then i stick them in a small ziplock with some Damprid (dessicant) for a couple days to suck the moisture out of the pollen. Then I vac pack it in small wide-mouth half-pint jars that I store in the freezer. Pollen will last for many years with that method.

blastfrompast · 06-25-2013, 11:57 PM

moisture is your enemy essentially..

Did you put fresh male flowers in the freezer UNDRIED?

IslandGrown · 06-26-2013, 07:33 AM

Dam for years i never knew!

MJPassion · 07-03-2013, 03:46 PM

Years? That's questionable...

I have, however, kept viable pollen, dried and stored in a zip bag, in my desk drawer, for around 6 months. After that it went to pot... lol

Also, IME, flour ruins pollen so I'd advise not mixing the two... Flour seem to be a huge moisture attractant.

Q-tips, fine paint brushes, clean fingertips, etc all work just fine for spreading the love.

I've heard that putting pollen in the freezer is no good so I don't do it. I've never kept any in the refrigerator either but never planned on keeping pollen very long.
However, if you do freeze it, be sure the pollen is completely thawed out before opening the packets and dusting your ladies. A tip from a breeder friend of mine.

06-04-2013, 11:39 PM	#1
BOMBAYCAT Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 1,004	Life expectancy of Pollen? Since I was curious I wanted to see if I could do a little pollen chucking. I have been saving male pollen in the freezer as it flowers, but the females are outdoors plants and won't be ready for a couple months. Will the pollen keep that long in the freezer? The variety has been worked through F5 so I am not too worried about rogue Phenos. Thanks
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06-11-2013, 10:22 PM	#2
blynx WALSTIB Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 3,358	You need to make sure the pollen is dried out before putting it in the freezer. I put pollen in foil packets like you are, and then i stick them in a small ziplock with some Damprid (dessicant) for a couple days to suck the moisture out of the pollen. Then I vac pack it in small wide-mouth half-pint jars that I store in the freezer. Pollen will last for many years with that method. __________________ 1 sqft CFL Cab & other CFL micro cabs Current
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06-25-2013, 11:57 PM	#3
blastfrompast Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 2,435	moisture is your enemy essentially.. Did you put fresh male flowers in the freezer UNDRIED?
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06-26-2013, 07:33 AM	#4
IslandGrown Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 72	Dam for years i never knew! __________________ "One day...I'll grow like a pro".
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07-03-2013, 03:46 PM	#5
MJPassion Observer Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: uni-verse Posts: 5,584	Years? That's questionable... I have, however, kept viable pollen, dried and stored in a zip bag, in my desk drawer, for around 6 months. After that it went to pot... lol Also, IME, flour ruins pollen so I'd advise not mixing the two... Flour seem to be a huge moisture attractant. Q-tips, fine paint brushes, clean fingertips, etc all work just fine for spreading the love. I've heard that putting pollen in the freezer is no good so I don't do it. I've never kept any in the refrigerator either but never planned on keeping pollen very long. However, if you do freeze it, be sure the pollen is completely thawed out before opening the packets and dusting your ladies. A tip from a breeder friend of mine.
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