Re: Hybridizing: honey solution

From: Neil Carroll zzamia at hargray.com> on 2000.05.25 at 00:46:28(4632) Regarding the matter of using a honey solution in breeding. The rational behind its use goes like this. A 20% honey solution is painted on the stigmas in order to ; give a sticky surface to hold the pollen in plaace ; provide an enhanced nutritive environment for pollen growth; possiblly reduce the concentration /effectiveness of any inhibitory compounds. Creative thinking is needed in any breeding situation. For example, a friend who grwos palms uses a Water-0 Jet squirt gun to shoot a mixture of pollen and water wtith a bit of honey added to it in order to pollinate palm flowers 30 feet off of the ground. It works! I use the same technique to fertilize orchids and ferns high in the oak trees. On the topic of hybrids: Tell the collectors not to confuse the container with the contents. It's the genes that must survive, not a particular phenotype. John Banta +More via snail mail Neil

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