Pollen Collection

Buck5050

Underground Chucker
I wanted to highlight how I personally go about collecting pollen. I feel this method is fairly streamlined and easy to do for most small growers who are trying to make some of their own seed.

A couple of things to keep in mind when messing around with pollen:

1. It is very messy and impossible to contain
2. It also can almost become invisible once it is airborne
3. If your lungs are sensitive wear something to protect yourself
4. Static electricity can make certain tools very difficult to use.
5. Moisture can neutralize and make pollen inert.

Some of the items I used to collect and store pollen:

Parchment paper
clothespins type clips
plastic scraper
tweezers
plant ties
trimming snips
mini-centrifuge vial
baked rice


combo01.jpg
For me, I have found that using parchment paper is a must. This stuff is foldable and the pollen will separate from it with very little effort. I also ended up grabbing a plastic dome but any container will work as long as it is more than a few inches deep.


PXL_20200926_162511287.jpg
I tore off enough paper to form a bowl-like catch container. I used some clips to secure the paper in place. A few wrinkles and creases here and there aren't going to hurt anything at this point.


PXL_20200926_162939218.jpg
For this example, I am using a male but you could do this with a reversed female also. Best results are had once you see about half the male flowers opened and pollen already has started to fall onto the lower leaves. With some snips, I end up taking a few of the bigger leaves off so that pollen can fall freely.


PXL_20200926_163401357.jpg
Once that is done, I snipped off some mature tops and take them to a location that there is little air movement. Moving male flowers around like this will release pollen. I move very slow and cover them while I transport.


PXL_20200926_163557243.jpg
Using some plant ties I group a few tops together and tie them like I was going to hang dry any other herb.


PXL_20200926_163639643.jpg
I place the catch container underneath and hang the flowers in a dry location with very little air movement. Totes work well.


PXL_20200927_185551478.jpg
Over the course of a few days, pollen will fall on its own. I do also tap on the tops lightly here and there which helps release a bit more pollen. A few male flowers and drier plant material will fall with the pollen.


combo02.jpg
Using tweezers or a plastic scraper I remove the majority of plant material and discard it. Pick up the container and tilt. Tapping lightly move the pollen into a pile. On this final stretch is where you'll want to not drop or even shake the paper too much. Un-clip and remove the parchment paper from the container. Gently fold it while considering the pollen on the inside. I hold it on a slight angle and lightly tap it and the heavier plan materials fall away from the pollen making it very easy to remove. You'll want to move the pollen around with the scrapper or a plastic business card while keeping an eye for specs of unwanted or leftover material. It doesn't take long to be left with pure pollen!


PXL_20201002_175441465.jpg
I use rice to help keep the pollen dry while I store it, so I place a few inside a vial. Once I have the pollen in a pile I crease the end of the parchment paper and poured into the vial. Tapping the parchment paper helps it slide down the crease. I also thought about using the scrappers and picking it up and filling the vial by hand. Either way would be effective.


PXL_20201002_180244165.jpg
I always keep a spray bottle handy so I can spray the area after I am done working with this stuff. I spray the tools and the paper and even the leftover male flowers before I dispose of them. If you have females in flower, change your clothes and always be aware that this stuff can get everywhere.
 
Last edited:

Frimpong

🔥Freak Genetics🔥
I wanted to highlight how I personally go about collecting pollen. I feel this method is fairly streamlined and easy to do for most small growers who are trying to make some of their own seed.

A couple of things to keep in mind when messing around with pollen:
1. It is very messy and impossible to contain
2. It also can almost become invisible once it is airborne
3. If your lungs are sensitive wear something to protect yourself
4. Static electricity can make certain tools very difficult to use.
5. Moisture can neutralize and make pollen inert.

Some of the items I used to collect and store pollen.
Parchment paper
clothespins type clips
plastic scraper
tweezers
plant ties
trimming snips
mini-centrifuge vial
baked rice


View attachment 32386
For me, I have found that using parchment paper is a must. This stuff is foldable and the pollen separates from it with not much effort. I also ended up grabbing a plastic dome but any container will work as long as it is more than a few inches deep.


View attachment 32387
I tore off enough paper to form a bowl-like catch container. I used some clips to secure the paper in place. A few wrinkles and creases here and there aren't going to hurt anything at this point.


View attachment 32388
For this example, I am using a male but you could do this with a reversed female also. Best results are had once you see about half the male flowers opened and pollen already has started to fall onto the lower leaves. With some snips, I end up taking a few of the bigger leaves off so that pollen can fall freely.


View attachment 32389
Once that is done I snipped off some mature tops and take them to a location that there is little air movement. Moving male flowers around like this will release pollen. I move very slow and cover them while I transport.


View attachment 32390
Using some plant ties I group a few tops together and tie them like I was going to hang dry any other herb.


View attachment 32391
I place the catch container underneath and hang the flowers in a dry location with very little air movement. Totes work well.


View attachment 32392
Over the course of a few days, pollen will fall on its own. I do also tap on the tops lightly here and there which helps release a bit more pollen. A few male flowers and plant material will fall with the pollen.


View attachment 32393
Using tweezers or a plastic scraper I remove the majority of plant material. Pick up the container and tilt and tap lightly moving the pollen into a pile. On this final stretch is where you'll want to not drop or even shake the paper too much. Un-clip and remove the parchment paper from the container. Gently fold it while considering the pollen on the inside. I hold it on an angle you can lightly tap it and the heavier plan materials fall away from the pollen making it very easy to remove. You'll want to move the pollen around with the scrapper or a plastic business card while keeping an eye for specs of unwanted or leftover material. It doesn't take long to be left with pure pollen!


View attachment 32394
I use rice to help keep the pollen dry while I store it so I place a few inside a vial. Once I have the pollen in a pile I crease the end of the parchment paper and poured into the vial. Tapping the parchment paper helps it slide down the crease. I also thought about using the scrappers and picking it up dropping it in the vial. Either way would be effective.


View attachment 32395
I always keep a spray bottle handy so I can spray the area after I am done working with this stuff. I spray the tools and the paper and even the leftover male flowers before I dispose of them. If you have females in flower, change your clothes and always be aware that this stuff can get everywhere.
One of the best methods I've seen man . Thank you for sharing this valuable information ?
 

loveMyTerpz

In Bloom
I wanted to highlight how I personally go about collecting pollen. I feel this method is fairly streamlined and easy to do for most small growers who are trying to make some of their own seed.

A couple of things to keep in mind when messing around with pollen:

1. It is very messy and impossible to contain
2. It also can almost become invisible once it is airborne
3. If your lungs are sensitive wear something to protect yourself
4. Static electricity can make certain tools very difficult to use.
5. Moisture can neutralize and make pollen inert.

Some of the items I used to collect and store pollen:

Parchment paper
clothespins type clips
plastic scraper
tweezers
plant ties
trimming snips
mini-centrifuge vial
baked rice


View attachment 32386
For me, I have found that using parchment paper is a must. This stuff is foldable and the pollen will separate from it with very little effort. I also ended up grabbing a plastic dome but any container will work as long as it is more than a few inches deep.


View attachment 32387
I tore off enough paper to form a bowl-like catch container. I used some clips to secure the paper in place. A few wrinkles and creases here and there aren't going to hurt anything at this point.


View attachment 32388
For this example, I am using a male but you could do this with a reversed female also. Best results are had once you see about half the male flowers opened and pollen already has started to fall onto the lower leaves. With some snips, I end up taking a few of the bigger leaves off so that pollen can fall freely.


View attachment 32389
Once that is done, I snipped off some mature tops and take them to a location that there is little air movement. Moving male flowers around like this will release pollen. I move very slow and cover them while I transport.


View attachment 32390
Using some plant ties I group a few tops together and tie them like I was going to hang dry any other herb.


View attachment 32391
I place the catch container underneath and hang the flowers in a dry location with very little air movement. Totes work well.


View attachment 32392
Over the course of a few days, pollen will fall on its own. I do also tap on the tops lightly here and there which helps release a bit more pollen. A few male flowers and drier plant material will fall with the pollen.


View attachment 32393
Using tweezers or a plastic scraper I remove the majority of plant material and discard it. Pick up the container and tilt. Tapping lightly move the pollen into a pile. On this final stretch is where you'll want to not drop or even shake the paper too much. Un-clip and remove the parchment paper from the container. Gently fold it while considering the pollen on the inside. I hold it on a slight angle and lightly tap it and the heavier plan materials fall away from the pollen making it very easy to remove. You'll want to move the pollen around with the scrapper or a plastic business card while keeping an eye for specs of unwanted or leftover material. It doesn't take long to be left with pure pollen!


View attachment 32394
I use rice to help keep the pollen dry while I store it, so I place a few inside a vial. Once I have the pollen in a pile I crease the end of the parchment paper and poured into the vial. Tapping the parchment paper helps it slide down the crease. I also thought about using the scrappers and picking it up and filling the vial by hand. Either way would be effective.


View attachment 32395
I always keep a spray bottle handy so I can spray the area after I am done working with this stuff. I spray the tools and the paper and even the leftover male flowers before I dispose of them. If you have females in flower, change your clothes and always be aware that this stuff can get everywhere.
Thanks SO much for posting this. I hope to be doing this in the near future if I find a suitable male.

How would you store it short term - to be used in a 2-3 weeks?
 

Frosty78

Habitabat autem somnium
I wanted to highlight how I personally go about collecting pollen. I feel this method is fairly streamlined and easy to do for most small growers who are trying to make some of their own seed.

A couple of things to keep in mind when messing around with pollen:

1. It is very messy and impossible to contain
2. It also can almost become invisible once it is airborne
3. If your lungs are sensitive wear something to protect yourself
4. Static electricity can make certain tools very difficult to use.
5. Moisture can neutralize and make pollen inert.

Some of the items I used to collect and store pollen:

Parchment paper
clothespins type clips
plastic scraper
tweezers
plant ties
trimming snips
mini-centrifuge vial
baked rice


View attachment 32386
For me, I have found that using parchment paper is a must. This stuff is foldable and the pollen will separate from it with very little effort. I also ended up grabbing a plastic dome but any container will work as long as it is more than a few inches deep.


View attachment 32387
I tore off enough paper to form a bowl-like catch container. I used some clips to secure the paper in place. A few wrinkles and creases here and there aren't going to hurt anything at this point.


View attachment 32388
For this example, I am using a male but you could do this with a reversed female also. Best results are had once you see about half the male flowers opened and pollen already has started to fall onto the lower leaves. With some snips, I end up taking a few of the bigger leaves off so that pollen can fall freely.


View attachment 32389
Once that is done, I snipped off some mature tops and take them to a location that there is little air movement. Moving male flowers around like this will release pollen. I move very slow and cover them while I transport.


View attachment 32390
Using some plant ties I group a few tops together and tie them like I was going to hang dry any other herb.


View attachment 32391
I place the catch container underneath and hang the flowers in a dry location with very little air movement. Totes work well.


View attachment 32392
Over the course of a few days, pollen will fall on its own. I do also tap on the tops lightly here and there which helps release a bit more pollen. A few male flowers and drier plant material will fall with the pollen.


View attachment 32393
Using tweezers or a plastic scraper I remove the majority of plant material and discard it. Pick up the container and tilt. Tapping lightly move the pollen into a pile. On this final stretch is where you'll want to not drop or even shake the paper too much. Un-clip and remove the parchment paper from the container. Gently fold it while considering the pollen on the inside. I hold it on a slight angle and lightly tap it and the heavier plan materials fall away from the pollen making it very easy to remove. You'll want to move the pollen around with the scrapper or a plastic business card while keeping an eye for specs of unwanted or leftover material. It doesn't take long to be left with pure pollen!


View attachment 32394
I use rice to help keep the pollen dry while I store it, so I place a few inside a vial. Once I have the pollen in a pile I crease the end of the parchment paper and poured into the vial. Tapping the parchment paper helps it slide down the crease. I also thought about using the scrappers and picking it up and filling the vial by hand. Either way would be effective.


View attachment 32395
I always keep a spray bottle handy so I can spray the area after I am done working with this stuff. I spray the tools and the paper and even the leftover male flowers before I dispose of them. If you have females in flower, change your clothes and always be aware that this stuff can get everywhere.
how do you go with long term storage of pollen. ie longer than a couple of weeks. do you add a couple of dessicant beads to help keep moisture out
 

Buck5050

Underground Chucker
Thanks SO much for posting this. I hope to be doing this in the near future if I find a suitable male.

How would you store it short term - to be used in a 2-3 weeks?
how do you go with long term storage of pollen. ie longer than a couple of weeks. do you add a couple of dessicant beads to help keep moisture out
Sorry for the delayed response fellahs. Currently I migrated from rice grains to silica gel inside my vials. A few of us on this forum are experimenting with other forms of dessicants as well.

All the pollen I have is sealed inside a jar a buried in silica gel. I keep that jar inside the door of my fridge. The freezer will work as well I just haven't had success as of yet with that method.

It's a good idea to allow the pollen vial to sit at room temperature and equalize before opening. This is to prevent condensate from merging with the pollen. I just set it on the counter for an hour or so.
 

loveMyTerpz

In Bloom
Sorry for the delayed response fellahs. Currently I migrated from rice grains to silica gel inside my vials. A few of us on this forum are experimenting with other forms of dessicants as well.

All the pollen I have is sealed inside a jar a buried in silica gel. I keep that jar inside the door of my fridge. The freezer will work as well I just haven't had success as of yet with that method.

It's a good idea to allow the pollen vial to sit at room temperature and equalize before opening. This is to prevent condensate from merging with the pollen. I just set it on the counter for an hour or so.
Thanks so much! I recently say some numbers (sorry I didn't bookmark it) that showed instant rice did much better than regular rice as a desiccant, but it still wasn't as good as silica gel.
 

Buck5050

Underground Chucker
N
Thanks so much! I recently say some numbers (sorry I didn't bookmark it) that showed instant rice did much better than regular rice as a desiccant, but it still wasn't as good as silica gel.
Yeah ditching the rice altogether is your best bet. The pollen does attach to the gel beads like it does to rice. You can usually find a desiccant pack pretty much anywhere and use scissors to cut open and pour out enough to fill a vial.
 

Rozgreenburn

"The Philosopher, is Stoned"
Very nice thread. I am starting to collect pollen from every stellar male I find. Maybe a pollen stash will keep my bean stash company!!!
The preceding statements were false. I will start collecting stellar pollen come this Spring. I feel it best to do so in a separate building to reduce any cross pollenization. It won't be warm enough in said building until April. Then, look out, I have 3 small tents to fill the space. The only pollen in the main area will be from preservation runs (y)
 
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