Pollen Swapping/sharing

I wonder if there are folks interested pollen-sharing. The shareing could
deal with various genera. For instance, I'd be interested in sharing or
trading Crinum pollen with folks around the world.

A.
The idea would be that:

1. You send a self-addressed, postage-paid package to a gardener who has
agreed to send back pollen.

2. The package should contain little envelopes for pollen transport. I
find that Crinum pollen lasts in the mail if sent promptly. You can use
coin envelopes, or just the cut-off corner of a regular white envelope (then
you fold back the open part and seal with tape).

3. The return-postage-paid package should contain whatever form of pollen
collection and shipping method that you want, but it should be easy for the
sender. So, if you really want pollen dried over silica beads, you should
send a little, air-tight, plastic box with the beads, and the pollen
collector could just drop the coin envelopes in the box and mail items back
to you.

4. Then, when you get the pollen you store it as you choose, or you could
use it ASAP, etc.

5. The benefit would be that, if we plan ahead, we could have pollen stored
from this season for use next season. I'm forever having flowers open and
not having the pollen on hand that I would like to use.

B.
I don't propose a formal "pollen club," with rules etc. I thought a pollen
sharing list might be interesting, but figured that is a lot of work for
someone. So, I wonder if I set up a Web page for different genera. I would
start with Crinum, and see how that goes. Folks could sign up, and it would
be the responsibility of members to: 1) announce the avaiability of
pollen, or 2) to send out a "looking for" pollen query.

There are 2 benefits to the Web page approach: 1) email addresses would be
protected from first-level spam machines, and 2) the burden for finding
pollen would reside on someone who wants pollen (rather than potential
donors). I think (but don't know) that I could set up a page where someone
could send out a general query without needing to know the email addresses
of the recipients.

C.
If you have ideas about how to make such idea work, I'd be happy to provide
Web space for someone to take a shot at it. I have no real desire for more
Web work (I barely understand what I am doing now), and if a wired-type
individual wants to run with such a project more power to her/him.

I can turn over password protected Web space for the project. It will be
easy with my Web-hosting-plan to provide 100 megabytes of Web space. Good
bandwidth, unlimited email addresses, unlimited email forwarding, and
unlimited email autoresponders are a part of the plan. Of course, such a
project would be a variation of my URL "opuntiads.com," or purchase of a new
URL (not too expensive and may I could cover it).

D.
Let me knwo what y'all think. I know Crinum and Nerine pollen (at least
some types) can last for a year after mailing if stored properly, and
perhaps if not stored "properly." As bulb- and plant-nuts, perhaps we could
develop something new. Much would depend upon interest level.

E.
Even commercial bulb operations could participate at the level they wanted.
This would be beneficial for private growers and commercial operations.
From my point of view, I want to see bulb nurseries succeed, even though I
may not always want to purchase. Along with the IBS and similar hobby
groups, bulb-selling nurseries are a prime source of information and
germplasm.

F.
Lastly, if the PBS were at all intrested in sharing in such an endeavor, or
taking the reins of such, I'd be happy to oblige and pay for the Web space
for several years to come, etc.

Therefore, PBS members, comment and holler, and let the officers hear from
you. Perhaps pollen sharing is not appropriate for the PBS, but I get a
feeling that the PBS is molded by membership energy and interests. Perhaps
pollen-sharing is appropriate, but no one will know unless members let the
officers know.

Cordially,

Joe Shaw
Conore TX

Hot today, about 100 F (38 C), no rain forecast, I'm out watering everything
but the cacti or large succulents. I intend to trick my Crinum to put out
more blooms than ever in years to come. I'm convinced they make flower
initiations this summer for 1 or 2 years hence.