Studies on Storage of Orchid Pollen

Abstract

A practical way to store orchid pollen for a year to aid breeding program hindered by the difference of flowering times was investigated in Dendrobium phalaenopsis, D. undulatum, D. strebloceras, an amphidiploid D. phalaenopsis x D. gouldii, and Oncidium stipitatum. After viability test at harvest, pollen was stored at 45°F and 72°F with and without dehydrants using silica gel or calcium chloride. The viability was tested by germinating pollen grains on 5 percent agar-sucrose medium at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 months storage periods. Pollen stored better without dehydrant at both temperatures. Except D. phalaenopsis whose pollen lost viability after 4 months, all orchid pollen retained their viability for a year when stored at 45°F with no dehydrant.