Custom crosses
- Thread starter BriceyG
- Start date
Mrs. Weedstein
Well-Known Member
I just collected pollen in a jar from a male that I had in a tent, then I “painted” it onto the colas of outdoor plants. The amount of seed on the colas I didn’t pollinate was pretty minimal, contrary to expectation. Just remember to mark the colas you pollinate by tying a ribbon around them or what-have-you.
I also had a female right in the tent with the male, and that one got thoroughly covered in seed. The outdoor seeded colas still had a decent amount of smokeable bud, while the tent female was just pure seed.
This year, I am growing my females in an outdoor hoophouse to hopefully avoid weather issues. Last year, I had to harvest most of the flower early due to heavy rains. I kept the seeded colas out longer so the seeds would mature, and every day I’d be picking bud rot off of them to salvage the seed. Luckily, it worked and I’ve got plenty of seed.
Not looking for that type of stress this year, so I’m counting on the hoophouse to keep me out of trouble.
Of course not, work smarter not harder right? Is there a way to harvest pollen early? Like collect it before it effects all of your plants? I’m in such a small place/area that I don’t think, or at least don’t know how, I’d separate males and females.
Not the whole “backyard” but it’s symmetrical so it’s not a lot of space but currently have 11 plants going. Wanted to keep them in solo cups to keep them small because I didn’t think I’d be successful on my first grow but I think I’m doing pretty well.
Attachments
Mrs. Weedstein
Well-Known Member
It will be tough trying to keep pollen contained if you’re flowering the males and females outdoors. If you could keep a physical separation between them, like a hedge, that would probably help but there’s still likely to be some stray pollen drifting onto your females.
If you really want to keep most of the females unpollinated, then you will either want to move the males indoors or the females, where they can be flowered early before the days get shorter. I suppose if you need to flower them all outside, you could just chop the males right before bloom but keep the flowers in vases indoors. The flowers will still open up in the vase indoors, then you can collect the pollen and move it to the desired colas outside.
Unfortunately, I don’t have the luxury of moving the plants inside. Growing strictly outdoors. Do you think it would be possible to harvest pollen sacs before they open and take the plants inside to do so to limit the potential of pollination?
Mrs. Weedstein
Well-Known Member
Absolutely. Just cut the colas off when they’re looking ready to burst and then stick in a vase with water. That will keep them alive long enough.
I know that saying this will piss some people off at me but what the hell, it’s just my experience: Pollen isn’t as disastrously potent as people make it out to be. I was pretty sloppy when painting it onto colas last year, definitely had drift. But the amount off-site seed was pretty negligible.
I realize that for the pros, seed is totally unacceptable. For the rest of us, though, a bit of stray pollen isn’t going to totally destroy the crop — especially if you pollinate at a point when the buds have had a chance to develop already.
Kalebaiden
Well-Known Member
I'm looking to breed a new strain myself.
Right now I'm growing Blue Mystic and Kaya Gold.
I want the low odor and shrubbiness of Blue Mystic with the spicy taste of Kaya Gold.
I'm not super great with names but my working title is Kayan Blue Golden Mystic (KBGM).
Both strains really knocked my socks off in different ways and I think a cross breed would be elegant.
Right now I'm growing Blue Mystic and Kaya Gold.
I want the low odor and shrubbiness of Blue Mystic with the spicy taste of Kaya Gold.
I'm not super great with names but my working title is Kayan Blue Golden Mystic (KBGM).
Both strains really knocked my socks off in different ways and I think a cross breed would be elegant.
Mrs. Weedstein
Well-Known Member
Sounds like a good idea. Once you get your first seeds, I’d advise sprouting a bunch and picking the best male — the one who causes the fewest problems with growing, disease, etc.
Then wait to pollinate your females until you see the bud characteristics of each plant. Not too long, of course, or you won’t have viable pistils available to be pollinated. But as long as the flower has still got white hairs, it should be receptive to pollen, I’ve found. I pollinated a cola last year that was really swollen up and frosty, but still managed to get seed.
The pros actually take cuttings of their male and female plants, bringing them to full flower to understand what they’re dealing with. Only then do they pick the best male and females for further breeding. Unless you’ve got the capacity to grow and flower a shitload of plants, though, you’ve just got to base your selections on what you’ve got in front of you.
It’s nice to see other folks interested in breeding! I’m not expecting to be the next subcool but with time, I hope to develop strains that grow really well in my area and fit my smoking preferences.
Kalebaiden
Well-Known Member
I'm surprised more people don't breed to make exactly what they want in a plant.
Thank you very much for the info!
Low odor is DEFINITELY something I’m looking for. I’d definitely try that out
Kalebaiden
Well-Known Member
One of Blue Mystics traits is low odor. The stone of Blue M when grown organically and cured properly and for a long time is easily the best narcotic high ever. The flavour is unlike anything produced commercially and it is the best tasting weed I have smoked in 30 years.
I've been wanting to regrow this strain for years because of it.
Man, I definitely need to try to get my hands on some next grow season. I’m growing Green Lightning from High Alpine Genetics right now. Definitely smells spicy but looking for sweet/fruity or low odor strains
Kalebaiden
Well-Known Member
Then Blue Mystic is exactly what you're looking for.
Mrs. Weedstein
Well-Known Member
Just to be clear — cut off the MALE colas and put them in a vase. Not even sure if that’s the proper nomenclature, LOL. I guess I’ll find out if someone corrects me.