Hand pollination

I am planning to show the three most common and maybe a couple of odd methods next season. When I have profichi and figs to pollinate. The most common three are. The needle and thread method, The syringe method, And my hybrid method. All three have there pluses and minuses.
 
I have used the syringe method and what I think of as the "Lamonte" (or hybrid) method.  I think they both worked well.  @"GoodFriendMike"#9  I think a tread (or threads) on the different methods and details on each would be awesome!  The thing I'm not sure about is best way to make the pollen solution...what concentration and measurements, is there a better way to suspend the pollen in the solution, etc.
 
@"RandyK"#37 I can see I have my work cut out for me. :)  If you let the pollen sit in the water for a few minutes it helps. But the pollen really does not like to stay suspended in the water. You have to shake the syringe every time you go to inject a fig. Next season I will try and get an average pollen to water ratio. But some Capri have better or stronger pollen than others. I need to try and figure that out as well. Lots to do. :)
 
GoodFriendMike said:
@"RandyK"#37 I can see I have my work cut out for me. :)  If you let the pollen sit in the water for a few minutes it helps. But the pollen really does not like to stay suspended in the water. You have to shake the syringe every time you go to inject a fig. Next season I will try and get an average pollen to water ratio. But some Capri have better or stronger pollen than others. I need to try and figure that out as well. Lots to do. :)
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Mike, no rush and no pressure.  I just think it is great that we have someone so dedicated to caprifigs...growing them, using them, collecting them...we are fortunate!

Thanks for your efforts and input and for moderation this section for us.
 
@"RandyK"#37 I am starting to think I should have started collecting pons figs instead. Just kidding man. I enjoy collecting and trialing them. And there are so many neat new ones being found. I am fortunate to be part of this forum full of really great people. And happy to be able to help. :)
 
9ah-figlet said:
While I haven’t successfully pollinated yet, I plan to use Joe’s instructions. He has a 90% success rate, and his directions are clear. He’s been kind enough to let me taste his pollinated figs several times. 
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Such a good video
 
I haven't hand pollinated any figs, but I would try a method different than the simple sugar solution. Those figs always look more watery and tend to spoil.

I had an idea to take a 12 gauge needle and somehow scuff it up the needle or create perpendicular score marks in order to create crevices. The idea is similar to using needle and thread, in that it would provide an area for pollen to collect but not as much. Dip in pollen and a simple twist of the wrist could help offload pollen after penetration. Welding tip cleaners would work too.
 
Some years ago I tried to hand pollinate by “puffing” the dry pollen in using a syringe. I made the mistake of waiting too long as the figs I injected were too large. They did ripen more quickly and the pulp was redder. There were only a few sinking seeds though.
The Hunt fig was bred in Eatonton, Georgia in the early 1900’s by Benjamin Hunt—I think around 1920 (there is a publication about this although I could never a copy). I’m not sure of the technique used but it may have involved incising the fig.
 
Figology said:
I haven't hand pollinated any figs, but I would try a method different than the simple sugar solution. Those figs always look more watery and tend to spoil.

I had an idea to take a 12 gauge needle and somehow scuff it up the needle or create perpendicular score marks in order to create crevices. The idea is similar to using needle and thread, in that it would provide an area for pollen to collect but not as much. Dip in pollen and a simple twist of the wrist could help offload pollen after penetration. Welding tip cleaners would work too.
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I'm in a wasp area, so for me wasps do it all, but thinking about it, and looking at the inside of a small fig, I am thinking some sort of puffer with a needle, doing it dry should do it best.
 
Rob said:
I'm in a wasp area, so for me wasps do it all, but thinking about it, and looking at the inside of a small fig, I am thinking some sort of puffer with a needle, doing it dry should do it best.
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One of the old methods was to blow the pollen into the fig. They would poke a hole close to the top to allow pressure out. Sounds familiar right? :)
 
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