Using a Q-tip, I would think a rolling technique would be far better than the dabbing that I envision most people would do.
I read that hybridizers use camel hair brushes, but I don't. I do prefer the more supple brush hairs compared to the stiffer ones. Who would have thought a non-painter would be taking a photo of paint brushes, but here goes...
The one on the left, she's too fat for me ♫♪. I suppose when there is LOTS of pollen available, as trumpets usually produce, it would be fine, and it could expedite pollinating multiple subjects with the same pollen. But a big brush will wasted a lot of pollen. Next is a flat brush, also not a favorite. It doesn't conform to a stgma's shape very well. This particular brush also has stiff bristles, which, not only do I have to be more gentle with applications, but stiff brushes usually mean smoother bristle surfaces. Pollen tends to fall off the brush more easily during transport from one flower to the next.
The third and fourth brushes are the types I use. Mostly I like the red one, and the smallest brush I prefer especially when there is a paucity of pollen or the stigma is small. Some of my dwarf iris species produce so little pollen that I am luck to find 5-10 grains!
These are cheap brushes from the dime store. I don't know what they are made out of. The packaging didn't say, so it can't be anything expensive.
A few more pieces of advice:
1) Use the tip of the brush only. You don't slop and slather pollen.
2) When you think your brush is out of pollen, you are probably wrong. Just keep gently dabbing the stigma. The stickiness of the stigmatic fluid, even if the stigma looks dry, is enough to keep pulling pollen that you don't see from between the hairs of the brush. Gently dabbing a single stigma for 20 or even 30 seconds can be advantageous. You will actually see the stigma take on the color of the pollen, as you repeatedly apply the pollen.
3) When transporting pollen on a brush, no bumping, jostling, flipping or even gently turning the brush over. Hold the brush at the same angle as when you removed the pollen. Only when you are ready to apply the pollen can the aspect change. Otherwise, you will lose a lot of valuable pollen before the deed is done.
