I have to go away for 3 days right at the start of pollination and have just collected the first pollen so as yet I dont have large quantities.
As I have collected on each of the last 3 days I have pollen in 3 stages, dry, almost dry and fresh.
Should I refrigerate the pollen to preserve it and if so at what stage? Can I mix the different stages?
I am going to miss a lot of blooms in that 3 days so I want to pick up quickly when I get back.
Russ
The pollen should be fine without refrigeration, and there should be no problem with mixing the three “stages” of pollen since it will all be dry by the time you get back from your trip.
I agree with Peter; your pollen will be fine for use as soon as you return from your trip. One caveat, however: make sure the pollen is someplace where it will not be exposed to extreme heat (anything much over 80F) nor direct sunlight as it dries.
Yeah, water, heat and UV degrades pollen just as quickly as it would in nature.