How to pollinate snowdrops

[annew]

Finally, I've think I've managed to sort out the video of how to pollinate snowdrops, as I promised.
So this is Für Hagen - How could you leave it to the bees?
It was only when I did the video that I realised how obvious it ought to be to turn the flower upside down while removing the petals, to avoid losing the pollen before you need it. It was one of those "DOH!!" moments.
If you don't need to keep the flower intact, it's easier to remove the petals to get at the pollen, especially with double flowers, which have few stamens, usually fused to one or more inner segments.
It really is necessary to strip the flower before you pollinate it though. I also usually remove the stamens before dragging the stigma backwards over the pollen on the foil (or whatever you have collected the pollen on). Remember to label the flower with the parents of the cross.
If the flower has been stripped, there is no need to exclude insect pollinators. However, once the pod has swollen, and before the seedpods turn yellow, it is wise to bag the flower so you don't lose the seeds. I put the label inside the bag so when the seeds are ripe I can nip off the whole stem to bring in for sowing. I use cheap empty (unused) teabags for bagging, you will have to be brave and get the cheapest teabags available from the supermarket. Fancy pyramidal ones are no good for this so don't sacrifice your Teapigs.
The seeds are sown straight away about 3cm deep in pots, as for narcissus seeds.I hope this works. I'm afraid it's rather small and terrible resolution, so if anyone can advise me how to do it better, please do. You might have to wait for the progress bar to reach the end before it will run.
http://www.dryad-home.co.uk/pages/growing%20info.html

[annew]

Rats, it was supposed to embed the video…you'll have to follow the link instead.

[johnw]

Excellent Anne!

johnw

[mark smyth]

excellent video

[annew]

Barry's put it onto Youtube. Maybe that will work better:

[annew]

YAY!!!

[Maggi Young]

YAY!!!

Double Yay!!
 That's super , Anne- thanks to you and to Barry

[hwscot]

Barry's put it onto Youtube. Maybe that will work better:

Is it meant to be silent, or does it just not like my sound card?

[Leena]

Thank you! I had read your description many times from the Galanthus January thread, but this video made it even more clear. It doesn't seem at all difficult.

[annew]

Is it meant to be silent, or does it just not like my sound card?

Yes, it's meant to be silent - you wouldn't want to hear what was being said! Also I haven't worked out how to add music etc.

[ranunculus]

The silence concentrates the eye and the mind, Anne ... WONDERFUL.  Many thanks.

[Hagen Engelmann]

Anne, your video is really helpfull.
Sometime I need an idea to the first step.
Of course I can hear the bell ring .

[loes]

Very helpfull video Anne,thanks!
I'll try that on my drops this year.

[ian mcenery]

Excellent Anne very professional and your advice on cultivation for daffs is also very informative and interesting. Thanks

[daveyp1970]

Superb Anne !!!!