Cannabis pollen is a powdery, dusty and typically yellowish material produced by male cannabis plants or flowers. It is used to produce seedless cannabis buds, as well as to create seeds that only grow female cannabis plants. Outdoors, pollen can be viable for a week or two under normal conditions. However, when frozen and sealed, it can last up to a year and even longer.
In a new study, funded in part by the Canadian government, researchers have developed a method for storing cannabis pollen for extended periods. By removing pollen from the mixture, the researchers applied it to female flowering plants, resulting in successful seed formation in all test subjects. Viable germination lasted 4 months, implying that it is possible to conserve cannabis pollen indefinitely. This is invaluable for maintaining a large collection of genetics. Once dry, the pollen will last a few years in the freezer. Keep it cool, dry and dark for maximum longevity.
Avoid opening the cannabis pollen container unless necessary. As pollen begins to reach the end of its lifespan, you'll notice that it becomes more lumpy and isn't as easy to apply as before. Once all my pollen is collected and dried, I pour it into small plastic containers and add it with some dry organic rice as a desiccant. It is important to use organic rice to ensure that there are no chemical residues from pesticides or herbicides that can kill pollen. Each container is labeled and then placed in the freezer for long-term storage. You can store pollen in the refrigerator if you want, but keep in mind that temperature fluctuations caused by frequent opening and closing of the refrigerator can reduce the long-term viability of pollen. In addition to using cannabis pollen to produce photoperiodic feminized seeds, it can also be used to make autoflowering seeds.
For most growers, cannabis pollen is avoided like the plague; its only important purpose is to produce seedless (seedless cannabis buds).In the 1990s, Henk van Dalen, the founder of Dutch Passion, announced the creation of cannabis pollen that would produce seeds that only grew to become female cannabis plants. This changed cannabis seed production forever and put Dutch Passion on the map. For them, storing cannabis pollen in the freezer may be a more convenient option than trying to conserve a room full of cuttings. It is sometimes used within a growing community to allow people to produce their own cannabis seeds from their favorite cannabis genetics. Diluting 1 part of cannabis pollen with 4 parts of dry, finely ground powder may not appeal to old school purist breeders, but for less experienced cannabis growers it's still an option. The best cannabis seed suppliers and breeders can also create extensive cannabis pollen archives from the best individual specimens of the best varieties. Anyone in an area where growing cannabis is not legal must keep cannabis seeds as collectible souvenirs. Whether cannabis fans are trying their green thumbs as a hobby, to reduce their monthly cannabis budget, or to provide stable access to medicinal buds, the amateur grower has a lot to learn.
