Hi Leena,

I would give your stored pollen a chance as long as it's been refrigerated it just might be still viable. I would do one each x papilio, Exotic Star, Exotica and Santiago, one is bound to take! You'll be storing your fresh Chico pollen so you can always do reverse crosses when your others bloom. I find I usually like to use Chico for the pollen doner due to the fact that Chico produces oh so small seeds and the others produce normal sized seeds, I'm not sure about Santiago but I know the others do.

Best of luck, and I hope you enjoy your Chico, one of my favorites!!

Donnaâºâº

Thank you so much Donna! I will do accordingly.
I know the pollen reserves have been in the fridge for some time now, but I have not opened the ziplock bags inbetween, I kind of forgot I had them, and I'm hoping this would work in my favor now and that there'd still be some life in the stuff. Well we'll see and I won't lose anything in trying.

Yes, I will store all of Chico's pollen for sure. Thank you for pointing out differences in using C as the pollen donor and the seed parent in your experience.

I've been searching the net for crosses with Chico and papilio comes out as number one partner. I'd like to try something different though and I'm leaning towards Exotica and Exotic Star and Santiago. I'll put papilio on it too of course but you Donna and Hans-Werner amongst others have already done that so very successfully.

Lena--I sent you an email. Did you receive it?

--Rick

Hi Rick!!
Back at my own computer now, finally, and reply on its way!!
Thanks a million!!!

I shall look for it!

Looks like you're all set?

Keep us posted on how the cross goes.

--Rick

Definitely I will! No high hopes but...
All of the flowers are open, they opened almost simultaneously. Now I need to figure out the right time to dab the pollen and it's not easy, the type of stigma Chico has is not easy to read. Not for me that is.

This post was edited by lenanen on Wed, Jan 7, 15 at 10:52