Question
I have 2 sarracenia purpurea. Each are flowering for first time in 3 years. One flower opened but the other looks like a month away. Hail storm broke off flower with loose pollen. Can I freeze the flower to hand pollinate the next flower when it is ready? I am building wire hail cage now for plants.

Answer
Hi Dana,

Try just dusting the pollen onto some wax paper and store it in the refrigerator until the other flower opens.  I haven't tried freezing pollen as of yet, so I don't know if it will survive freezing or not.  Purpureas tend to pollinate quite easily, so you should do ok.  

We have shelters we use over our newly planted plants in spring.  We deal with similar thunderstorm issues, but I bet you folks have very intense hail compared to us.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com