Storing cattleya pollina (pollen)

[mab3362]

I am having a hard time getting stored pollen to take.. When I propagate with fresh pollen, no problem, the flower takes nearly every time. However, when I use stored pollen, (even a month or two old), the stigma just molds and the flower dies.. Any suggestions- currently I store it in a piece of wax paper in a pill bottle with some dessicant packages.. Maybe too dried out? Any suggestions from experienced hybridizers?

Thanks
Micah

[Mr. Tech]

Have you tried putting it in the fridge?

[mab3362]

Sorry, yes I forgot to mention that I am keeping it in the fridge. Micah

[Mr. Tech]

Oh my.

Have you tried it in a supersaturated CaCl solution?

[Mr. Tech]

Or you may want to desiccate the pollen then put it in the fridge without the desiccator baggies in a sealed pack.

[SOS]

Originally Posted by Mr. Tech

Oh my.

Have you tried it in a supersaturated CaCl solution?

This doesn't forever sterilize everything?

[Mr. Tech]

I got some seeds in it in the past. They said it is a good long-term storage for the seeds. It should work for the pollen too.

[Royal]

Try rehydrating it a day or two in advance. Opning it up in the greenhouse should help.

I don't worry too much about drying it, just don't store it with the anther cap still attached.