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Thread: Contact lens solution

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2004
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    Miami, Florida
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    Default Contact lens solution

    I heard contact-lens solution mixed with pollen may trigger pollination. Apparently the professionals are doing this with Paphs. Anybody here heard anything about this?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Rollinsford, NH
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    Default Lense cleaning solution

    Yes I have heard of this as well. From what I have read, there are proteins on the outside of the pollinia packet that helps to prevent self pollination (and therefore limiting the genetic diversity of that particular colony I suppose). Using the lense cleaner that has an enzymatic cleaner supposedly helps to break down these protiens to encourage pollination. But there is an alternative to stealing your significant others' (in my case) lense cleaner...something really cheap...free even...work up a good wad fo spit and let the pollinia soak in that for a little bit (ok...I know, gross!). Saliva also has enzymes in it that break down protiens...a little "pre-digestion" if you will.

  3. #3
    My Grow Area
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    paphs, phrags, catts, vandas
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    Default

    I don't know the first thing about pollination, but saliva only contains amylase, which breaks down simple sugars. It does not digest protein. Now if you were to puke on the pollen after eating, you might get some pepsin in there from the stomach. pH is kind of low though.

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    Default Puking?

    I don't think I'll go that far to have my cross take.

  5. #5
    My Grow Area
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    Default

    Spitting? Puking?? No wonder I never got in to breeding (along with the fact that I doubt I could ever keep a sterile environment of any size). Hope to see some of your crosses though.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2004
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    Myrtle Beach, SC
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    Default

    I'll have to ask the chemist of the house about this . . . as soon as she wakes up . . .

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2005
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    Rollinsford, NH
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    Default Chemist

    Quote Originally Posted by Sue
    I'll have to ask the chemist of the house about this . . . as soon as she wakes up . . .
    Lucky you, you have a chemist

    I have an optician

    The spit thing was in a book I read, which of course doesn't mean take it as gospel truth...I was only reciting what I read.

  8. #8
    Real Name
    Tim
    My Grow Area
    Porch/Patio.
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    Jan 2005
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ATester
    I have an optician
    A friend of mine picked up a guy who was an optician and she used the pick up line "I've got my eye on you"..

    They've been married three years...

    I only have a lawyer... and I still cannot get out of jury duty

    umm... so this whole thing about puking and spitting.. apart froma great way to loose weight so you can combine the whole bullimia thing with it... might also contaminate the seed/agar/medium...

    what about using the laundry bleach?

    Cheers
    Tim

  9. #9
    My Grow Area
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    Tim - of course he's using bleach, to clean up the spit and the puke! giggle giggle giggle

    And as for getting out of jury duty, well, telling them my SO is a cop worked for me. Course I no longer have that particular SO, but....

  10. #10
    Real Name
    Louis J. Aszod
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    It's notoriously hard to get pollen to stick to the stigmatic surfaces of slippers--many of them have next to no "sticky goop" the pollen can adhere to. I've used spit on those, just to get the pollen to stick, not to break it down in any way.

    Alex, I've never heard of using lens solution to help trigger pollination. I'm assuming it's lens cleaning solution and not just plain saline? I can't imagine what that would accomplish that crushing the pollinia before pollinating wouldn't.

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