LongShot:; Got Kiwi Pollen?

14 years ago

Hi all,

Sorry about the reposting (from Georgia Gardening), but I still might have a couple of days left and thought the fruit and orchard section might get a response.

I have three hardy kiwis flowering right now, for the first time. However they are all female where one was supposed to be a male. We'd like to taste our own fruit this year.

We are near Dallas, GA. Is there anyone nearby who has a male kiwi (hardy or fuzzy does not matter) that I can "borrow" some pollen from? I can pay you back with some cuttings later maybe if you want.

Thanks,

Ron

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Comments (5)

denninmi
14 years ago
Well, I can't help you out with pollen, hardy kiwi doesn't bloom here until around Memorial Day or perhaps a few days later. And, I'm a long way from Dallas, Georgia.

But, a thought for you -- you might try the blossom set hormone spray sold at garden centers for tomatos, etc. I don't know whether or not this would work, but it certainly would be worth a try. It only costs about $5 for a can, so it wouldn't be a prohibitively expensive experiment. Who knows, it might just work.
kiwinut
14 years ago
I have frozen fuzzy kiwi pollen, but it is about 3 years old. It is probably still somewhat viable, but I can direct you to where I bought it. If you can't buy any, maybe I can send you some of mine. When I last bought it, 10 grams was about $10, with overnight shipping was around $25. 10 grams is an huge amount of pollen! See link.

~kiwinut

Here is a link that might be useful: Pollen Collection and Sales
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logrock
Original Author
14 years ago
Good ideas...

Hmmm... I'm skeptical if that blossom set hormone would work but I might try it as an experiment. I'll have to read up on what that actually does. Do the tomatoes come out seedless?

I already talked to PCS and it was going be $68 including shipping for 10 grams of pollen. Not worth it.. I can wait another year.....

However, kiwinut, a normal firstclass envelope from TN with a gram of your old pollen might get here in a couple of days. I just sent you a PM with my paper mail address, and I owe you one!

Thanks,
Ron
James Armstrong
4 years ago
I’m in the same boat, had female blooms for years and havent been able to get any males going. My backup last year fell through, Lane packing in Georgia had kiwis for years and the one year I asked my aunt to ‘collect" some pollen, they had ripped up the plants.

‘so, anyone willing to sell me some pollen, I would appreciate it. Tried the bloom setter last year and definitely didnt work.
Greg
4 years ago
I too have had a hard time keeping males alive. My first male I had was doing well when the city I lived in rationed water at the end of the season and it died. I tried several more times and they all died, finally the one i have in the garden now seems to be making it, it is on it's 3rd year in ground but still no flowers. The two of mine that did the best were a lot larger then the other ones. I have a hunch it is important to get the largest male you can for increased success. The one I have now I found at a local nursery and it was far bigger than the ones you get on line. As a last resort I was going to buy some pollen from these guys, but now that I have one growing I think I will wait.

http://www.pollencollectionandsales.com/

LongShot:; Got Kiwi Pollen?

Comments (5)

denninmi

kiwinut

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James Armstrong

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LongShot:; Got Kiwi Pollen?

Comments (5)

denninmi

kiwinut

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logrockOriginal Author

James Armstrong

Greg

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

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logrock
Original Author