Conserving Pollen

Two images (hopefully) showing amount of pollen used by applying it with your finger versus applying it with a Q-tip.
This has been discussed on a previous post and I just wanted to see if I could post the pic's side by side.

As you can see using a q-tip as an applicator will waste a lot of pollen.

Re: Conserving Pollen

Hey, Two thumbs up for the finger!! Definitely the way to go!

Jim Sproul

Re: Conserving Pollen

Agree with Jim. The photos really show the waste of pollen with the Q-Tip. There are those that say that the oil on the finger tip will harm the pollen, but there have been so many hybridizers using nothing but the finger tip. Who can argue with success? Just need to find a clean spot on your pants to wipe between pollinations.

Re: Conserving Pollen

I use a very fine sable brush. The pollen tends to stay on the outside of the fur for contact with the stigma, and one also able to take only a little amount not like a lumbering finger. These brushes will last a long time and cost about 15$.

Re: Conserving Pollen

Hi Johannes,

I'll bet $15 that my finger can pollinate more blooms in a shorter amount of time than any brush when used in conjunction with my plastic cups! ;)

Jim Sproul

Re: Conserving Pollen

When Whit Wells was asked if he used a camel hair brush for pollinations he smiled and said there weren't a lot of camels in his part of Tennessee so he just used his finger.:O)

Re: Conserving Pollen

I used the cheap little plastic paint brushes with hard, plastic bristles that are black. I cut the bristles to less then a centimeter in length, which allows for good finite control. Having black, plastic bristles allows for perfect visualization of the pollen itself, dries out easily after every pollenation washing (I use my shirt lol) and does not absorb the pollen.


I actually think a natural fiber brush would be counter-productive. Now, if you wanna do japanese calligraphy... :)