North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Jwlehman@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/14/2004 1:40:54 PM US Eastern Standard Time, machelp@attglobal.net writes:

> I have a grafted Luvall's Monster chestnut.  Big [say 1.5" round] blooms are evident on laternal branches just out of reach of step ladder.  But I can reach it with a tree pruner or stick.  What are the chances I could tape some female bloom of a different variety to a stick and reach up to the bloom on the Monster, shake some pollen onto the bloom and increase my chances of a set on those particular blooms on the Monster?


Hello,

Wouldn't help at all. 

You would need to use catkins which are the male (staminate) flower where pollen is developed. Another point, chestnuts are mostly air pollinated, but some insects help also. You might collect a large amount of pollen from the donor tree, easy to do,  then using a leaf blower at low speed blow it up into the tree when no more than a light breeze is blowing.  Or after collecting the pollen hand apply it to the female (pistillate) flowers using a small paint brush or Q-tip. 

Anyone else?

Jerry