Shop Products
Houzz Logo Print
onlychange

Caladium pollen - viability and storage?

onlychange
14 years ago

Hello all

I currently have a thai hybrid caladium "Phayamol" with an inflorescence. My problem (as new to breeding caladiums) is that I dont know how long pollen is viable in the fridge/freezer.

Are they like colocasias/alocasias where the pollen is good when sealed airtight and chilled for around 3 months in ~33-40 degrees?

I have scoured the internet, and can find a lot of information verifying the 3 month rule on elephant ears, but nothing much for caladiums.

Any help/shared experience would be greatly appreciated, i have about 3-5 days until my inflorescence opens and pollen can be collected (given its not a sterile hybrid..which i will find out).

I got my caladium to bloom within 2-3 weeks by application of 450ppm GA3 foliar spray. Same for my Alo. watsoniana (which will also have its pollen collected for hybridization).

Thanks in advance, everyone,

-OC

Comment (1)

  • vriesea
    13 years ago

    Hi Oc,

    I did some work on Caladiums years ago ,crossing them with our Australian native Elephants ear known as Cunjivoi a very large green leaved aroid in the Alocasia group ,lost most of the colour(s) anyway the storage of pollen is the same about 3 months ,but as always " fresh is best " and the vaiability of the flower to receive pollen is very short , best of luck ,
    Jack

0
Sponsored
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Average rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars35 Reviews
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations