amberjewel said:
How long does the bloom need to stay dry after pollen has been applied? And is there a general temperature (e.g., 80 or 90 degrees) where you notice a steep decline in successful pollination?
If the blossom gets wet within 10 hours after I pollinate success declines so I just make sure they stay dry for 24 - 48 hours.
You can very very gently put a plastic sand which bag over a pollinated blossom if it looks like rain.
I notice a steep decline in success if I pollinate in temperatures that rise to 78+ degrees F.
That's why I pollinate at the crack of dawn those first freshly opened blossoms while temperatures are in the 70's. I want the pollen already saturated the moment the moisture increases. The moisture increases as the morning warms.
Only use the most fresh fluffy pollen from a newest opened bloom for best results. (One that has not been exposed to warm temps yet.
