Just a couple of updates:
Frankenstein has survived as a clone-only strain for decades and it really is a breeze to take a nice cut from a Frankie mom and get her rooted in a few days.
The question I needed to answer was whether or not Frankie’s S1 Daughters would be as happy with cloning and I am pleased to report that they are. Both the large-leaf “Hilda” plant, and the little dwarf “Olive” have popped roots in the seedling tray without any fuss.
I’m also excited to announce that I began collecting feminized Frankenstein pollen yesterday from a recently reversed clone. The donor plant is small but He/She should produce enough magic dust to knock up both Hilda and Olive for a back-crossed generation. Might even have enough left over for a couple of interesting crosses.
Here’s our pollen mom plant. I’ll be removing most of the leaves today in preparation for the major pollen drop.
You can see my tools for the job, including the pollen shaker and a small dehumidifier that will be used to dry the pollen collected in preparation for use and longer term storage in the glassine envelopes in the lower right.
After trying other methods, I have had the best results plucking newly opened male flowers and depositing them directly into the pollen shaker. The screen on the bottom collects the plant material while the dust falls through and collects on the parchment paper underneath. Periodically, I’ll carefully remove the parchment, fold it into a little envelope and slip it into one of the glassine envelopes.
The first of many pollen laden flowers into the can!
Here’s where the pollen will sleep until needed. The little dehumidifier can reportedly drop RH down into the 30% range!
AND, In Other News…
I am totally stoked to announce that @BU2B has posted a thread that will follow his high yield PPP (Pound Per Plant) training method using a Hilda phenotype plant in his next hydro grow! This veteran grower knows his stuff and it should be exciting and educational to watch.
Here’s a peek at Hilda au naturale
Saludos a todos y Crezcamos la herbe buena!
-Grouchy