Cannabis Prohibition is Dropping and Sharing is on the Rise!
Here's a way to store pollen for long term purposes, so you can share those awesome genetics around in the near future. I've personally used this method for long term storage of various pollens, viability has been maintained for several years now.
Items You Will Need
- Thermos
- Aluminum Foil
- A plastic Bag (optional)
- Wheat or rice flour
- Rice
- Skillet & Medium Heat
- Dessicant (not always necessary)
- Kitchen Freezer
- Cotton Swabs
Completely Dry the Pollen
Completely dry pollen stores for a much longer time, without molding or degrading. It dries quickest when scattered thinly on a flat surface. Use a cover that keeps out dust and spores while allowing air and moisture to pass through.
Place in a cool area with low humidity. Keep the temperatures between 68F to 72F to keep the pollen viable. When room humidity is over 40-50%, place the container inside another air-tight container with a dessicant. The dessicant will pull moisture from the air, allowing the pollen to dry properly.
Prepare the Flour
Measure the amount of pollen you have, a close estimate is fine. Measure 50 times the pollen volume in flour and put the flour in the skillet. Heat the flour over medium heat until browned. Set it aside to cool completely. In a high humidity area? Seal the flour in an airtight, glass container and set it aside as it cools. This will prevent the flour from re-absorbing moisture as it cools.
Prepare the Rice
Measure out approximately three times the amount of pollen in rice grains. Heat the rice in the skillet, over medium heat, for about 6-8 minutes. All you're doing is driving any additional moisture out of the rice grains. Set aside to cool. Again, if you're in a high humidity environment, seal the rice in an airtight, glass container to cool.
Prepare the Foil Packets
Pollen is super tiny and goes a long way. Take a piece of foil about three inches square. Fold it in half and then double fold the sides, leaving the top open. Each pouch should hold around 1/2 teaspoon or less of material.
Make enough pouches to hold the flour, pollen and rice.
Mix the Pollen and Flour
Gently mix the cooked and cooled flour with the pollen. Pollen is very lightweight, go slow to keep pollen in the mixing area and out of the room air. The more evenly the pollen is mixed, the longer longer the pollen will stay viable in storage.
Filling the Foil Packets
Put 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of flour/pollen mixture in each foil packet. Add a few grains of rice for additional moisture control. Double fold the top of the foil packet. Simple and elegant.
The Plastic Bag
The pollen may be in the freezer for quite some time, detailed labeling of the bag will help immensely. Use one pollen type per bag to keep things easier. Use a marker with ink that will last. ;)
The Thermos
When you open your freezer, there are mild temperature and humidity changes. Toss the plastic bags into the thermos and put the thermos in the freezer. The thermos provides and additional layer of protection, keeping those temperature and humidity changes to an absolute minimum. This works in freezers in the family kitchen, where the freezer is constantly being opened.
Using the Pollen
When you need some pollen, take out one or more foil packets. Allow the packet to warm up to room temperature. Take a cotton swab and dip it into the flour/pollen mixture and gently tap it above your flowers to pollinate them.
Now Get to Storing so We Can Be Sharing!
As prohibition drops, more and more opportunities will be showing up where you'll want to share pollen. Having storage in convenient packets allows for very easy sharing. The details on the plastic bags keep everything clear as well. Be sure to label the bag you put the foil packets in, keep everything correct. :)
thanks for sharing! i don't understand the purpose of mixing the flour with the pollen? is it just to dilute it?
My pleasure.
The flour serves 2 purposes that I'm aware of...
wow thats interesting i haven't heard that before.. too many seeds will cause smaller seeds? i never knew too many seeds could be a bad thing i thought most people wanted to maximize pollination! thanks for sharing
Indeed, the plant can only put so many resources toward seed production. When too many seeds are started on the plant, the size of the seeds can be extremely small.
I shoot for pollinating when the plants are bursting with white pistils, and still have at least 5-6 weeks of flowering time left. :)