Have a look there:

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/amaryllishippeastrum/msg1213552128962.html?2href>

Haweha,

Thanks for that link. The pollen doesn't need to be dried or stored with anything like desicating gel? I could have sworn I read something about that here but can't find the post anymore.

MBT

Older refrigerator types condensate and freeze out the air humidity and thus fuction as air (and vegetable) DRYER.

At least in this case you won't need a pretreatment using silicagel.

Hans-Werner

Hans,

Thanks for the response. More more question though...When do you collect the polle? I noticed that when the bloom first opens the pollen sacks are almost an inch long. As the day progresses they shrink to about a quarter size. Should I collect them before they shrink? Or wait for them to shrink down?

They will open anyway.
Let them open on the filament - then they are already more DRY and thus better suitable for the storage.
Use thin, spiky tweezers to remove the anthers (pollen bags) from the anthers.

haweha,

Thanks so much for your help.

jodik,

I believe this threat would help you with collecting and storing your pollen. I hope I could help.

Thanks, Soultan! I did a search on the subject and came up with over 200 results! There's lots of information on both pollination and pollen saving here! I even ran into some nice photos of the proper way to save pollen, and also close-ups of the flower's reproductive system and exactly where to deposit the pollen! There's even good info on pollinating doubles, which can be very tricky, according to the posts... I think I'm all set. I have nice surgical tools, so anything requiring tweezers or sharp cutting is covered!

That is why I am afraid of making searches sometimes. This forum covers questions so many times and from so many angles, that the information available can be really overwhelming. :o)

Yes, but so very informative! I really enjoyed reading all the posts on pollination and collecting! And I am still reading about diploid and tetraploid! Incredibly interesting!!

As you saw, I have collected a lot of pollen, and the bag just have disappeared during the move. So since then, I am not doing it. I have enough seeds, so I wil just always pollinate when I can and plant when I have seeds. That's enough. I have to decide if I collect or burry myself under bulbs.

Since many of my bulbs will be coming into bloom at about the same time, I plan on collecting pollen and storing some of it for use with bulbs that might bloom later. I understand from my reading that pollen can be stored for up to a year. That should give me a chance to use it on most every bulb I want to breed.

I'm sorry to hear that you lost the pollen you saved... we've lost a lot of things in the many moves we've made. I don't know where things disappear to when you move, but it's kind of like the missing sock in the laundry thing... the dryer always eats one sock of a pair for some unknown reason! It's usually the pair you like the most, too! And the one missing sock is rarely ever found, although, where it could possibly go is beyond me!

I suppose you would be buried under bulbs if you grew and kept every plant from every seed you produced! There are several large colleges out in your area of the country... I wonder if their agriculture or botany departments could benefit from donated seeds? There are so many options when it comes to making donations... you could also put them in a local charity auction and donate the proceeds to the charity... the possibilities are almost endless.

My plan is to give forced bulbs to very sick people for Christmas, sending out the flowers with the food drive.

I couldn't think of a nicer thing to do! You are an amazing man... most people wouldn't think that a simple flower could make someone's Christmas very special. That's a fabulous idea!

That is the plan that I am shooting for. Bulbs are easy to care for, and they can be delivered potted already ready to flower. I learned how much a plant, and caring for a plant means for sick people. My friend, Tünde's mother is very very sick. I sent her a bulb for last Christmas, and she was even marking the scape, how much it has emerged day by day. She had something to tend to that was really hard to kill, so she succeeded, and the flowers (Baby Star) made her very happy. Too bad that they wilted after a while. Now, the bulbs were outside all Summer, and Tünde planted them inside now in pots, and keeps all (even her old bulbs) at her mom's, so she can watch if any of them wants to flower... This year, if I am lucky, I can give the mom Amoretta. If I am not that lucky, then she will get Green Goddess. I placed two orders, and the first one was initially canceled. I got the second order already, and I am getting the news that I might get the first order too, so that is where the luck lies. This christmas, I might give three bulbs to Tünde and one for mom. I wanted to give Amoretta for her, because I know she will like that kind. It is small and "traditional looking." Tünde will get a Donau. That is a fact now. I just don't remember what I ordered for her in the first order. If it comes true, I will learn it anyway. :o)
So long story short... Tending for something, even if it is a flower usually distracts these people and they are able to forget about their sickness at least for a while.

It's the same with Therapy Dogs... several American Bulldogs from our kennel are working as Therapy Dogs... they go to hospitals and nursing homes, and they spend time with sick or elderly people... and it has been proven that spending time petting and talking to these animals actually lowers blood pressure and stress, and makes people feel better... even if it is only for a short time, it helps take the mind off pain and the fact that they are ill, and it banishes loneliness. It has also been proven that dogs can sense illnesses in patients, or injury, and they are very careful and protective of those who need them... and, the animals are unconditional in giving love, and that means a lot to someone who is unable to go anywhere, has no family, or has no visitors... it's a fact that patients who have pets or can tend plants heal quicker and have less stress.

Whether it's caring for a flowering plant or being loved by a pet, the benefits to the patients are astounding... I know myself, when I am depressed about something or not feeling well... Emma always senses how I feel and comes to sit with me, to make me feel better. And I always do feel better. :-)

Soultan, you have given me a very good idea... there is a small local Hospital here in town... I am going to take what little money I have left to spend on my hobbies, and I'm going to buy several bulb kits... at $3 a piece, I could get several... and I'm going to plant them and bring them to the Hospital just before Christmas... there is plenty of time to plant them so they are flowering for Christmas... yes, that's what I'm going to do... thank you, Soultan... great idea!

Jodik,

Ask the Hospital before though if they allow flowers like that in their facilities.
Project Angelfood delivers food to the homes of terminally ill people, so the flowers would end up in their own homes.
I know people take flowers to hospitals all the time, but I really don't know what the procedures and restrictions are.

Oh, I will... I'd want to know if it's even possible for them to have the flowers... but if so, then it's a good idea!

Yes. Maybe they don't let anyone just come and give gifts to patients. But who knows. Maybe they will love the idea. Though you might have to bring one to everyone, so nobody feels left out...

I thought I would just bring what I can, and let the staff distribute them how they see fit... I'm sure there are those who never have visitors or have no family, those who wouldn't have a Christmas... and so the staff will know who needs cheering up, so they can give them to who needs them the most.

You see, the question is answered. :o) I like this kind of giving instead of cash contributions. I am not sure where the cash goes and why all the Red Cross' leaders all multimillionaires...
So I prefer to give actual things and never money.

I agree... material donations usually go to where they are needed... but who really knows where cash goes? I'd rather go out and buy something to donate than give green money... I want someone who really needs help to get it, not some charity committee member get a payment for his new BMW or fund a new Rolex!

Or Fema buy defective trailers that they cannot even use, then leave them to deteriorate and never put to use... You see, a flower might seem useless, but how much it can give it is priceless.

Well said, Soultan, well said...