Feminized pollinating an outdoor in-ground plant - in Canada

[superflow30]

Hi - I am in Atlantic Canada where frost comes in early October. I have two Critical Mass outside in the ground. They were pollinated in mid August (it's now Oct 1) and we're getting frost.
Two questions
1) Can the plants stay in the ground and will they produce viable seeds?
(8- 10 weeks puts them into November)
2) If I remove the pollinated branches and put them in water or wet soil - will the seeds grow to maturity?

Thanks!

 

[Pat Puffer]

In my experience with doing seed runs I have got viable mature seeds in only 4-6 weeks after pollination.

Perhaps someone else can chime in with their experiences. I always would take a seed or two from different spots and open them up to check for maturity in the striping they develop.

 

[Pat Puffer]

Forgot your questions...

I am not positive the effects a frost will have on seed development.

Removing pollinated branches would technically put them in to shock. I have only had luck removing male tops and collecting pollen from them while they are in water. At that point the pollen is already in the anthers, and it only needs to be dropped; which is possible, and how I would collect my pollen.

Chopping off pollinated branches may not allow the seeds to develop, but I am not positive. I would think that the seeds need to draw on nutrients to finish developing. Again, I am not positive.

 

[HashGirl]

@StoneOtter or @InTheShed - can you help this grower?

 

[013]

pics will help, how much longer before they are ready to harvest??

do not remove pollinated branches until after the plant is ready for harvest

below is copied from plant biology sticky article from above in this very thread but I’ve added a space so you can easily read that 3rd paragraph

Biology of Pollination

Pollination is the event of pollen landing on a stigmatic surface such as the pistil, and fertilization is the union of the staminate chromosomes from the pollen with the pistillate chromosomes from the ovule.

Pollination begins with dehiscence (release of pollen) from staminate flowers. Millions of pollen grains float through the air on light breezes, and many land on the stigmatic surfaces of nearby pistillate plants. If the pistil is ripe, the pollen grain will germinate and send out a long pollen tube much as a seed pushes out a root. The tube contains a haploid (in) generative nucleus and grows downward toward the ovule at the base of the pistils. When the pollen tube reaches the ovule, the staminate haploid nucleus fuses with the pistillate haploid nucleus and the diploid condition is restored. Germination of the pollen grain occurs 15 to 20 minutes after contact with the stigmatic surface (pistil); fertilization may take up to two days in cooler temperatures. Soon after fertilization, the pistils wither away as the ovule and surrounding calyx begin to swell. If the plant is properly watered, seed will form and sexual reproduction is complete.

It is crucial that no part of the cycle be interrupted or viable seed will not form. If the pollen is subjected to extremes of temperature, humidity, or moisture, it will fail to germinate, the pollen tube will die prior to fertilization, or the embryo will be unable to develop into a mature seed. Techniques for successful pollination have been designed with all these criteria in mind.

 

[superflow30]

pics will help, how much longer before they are ready to harvest??

do not remove pollinated branches until after the plant is ready for harvest

below is copied from plant biology sticky article from above in this very thread but I’ve added a space so you can easily read that 3rd paragraph

Biology of Pollination

Pollination is the event of pollen landing on a stigmatic surface such as the pistil, and fertilization is the union of the staminate chromosomes from the pollen with the pistillate chromosomes from the ovule.

Pollination begins with dehiscence (release of pollen) from staminate flowers. Millions of pollen grains float through the air on light breezes, and many land on the stigmatic surfaces of nearby pistillate plants. If the pistil is ripe, the pollen grain will germinate and send out a long pollen tube much as a seed pushes out a root. The tube contains a haploid (in) generative nucleus and grows downward toward the ovule at the base of the pistils. When the pollen tube reaches the ovule, the staminate haploid nucleus fuses with the pistillate haploid nucleus and the diploid condition is restored. Germination of the pollen grain occurs 15 to 20 minutes after contact with the stigmatic surface (pistil); fertilization may take up to two days in cooler temperatures. Soon after fertilization, the pistils wither away as the ovule and surrounding calyx begin to swell. If the plant is properly watered, seed will form and sexual reproduction is complete.

It is crucial that no part of the cycle be interrupted or viable seed will not form. If the pollen is subjected to extremes of temperature, humidity, or moisture, it will fail to germinate, the pollen tube will die prior to fertilization, or the embryo will be unable to develop into a mature seed. Techniques for successful pollination have been designed with all these criteria in mind.

Thanks much for this. That pretty much tells me the seeds won't form. The temperatures are way to cold here. I'll do an inside seed run. Very useful info.

 

[StoneOtter]

Hi Superflow, I don't have answers but to try and cover them to protect from frost as long as possible? These plants are tough if healthy.