I've been asked about Rollinia hand pollination a few times the last few weeks, so I thought i'd put up a few pictures to illustrate it a bit. I was hoping to do a quick video, but haven't had the time and a second person to shoot. Anyhow, I'll try to guide you through the pics
first step is being able to identify your flowers. here is a pic of a male and female next to each other. This happens very rarely on my tree, but later in the season i get male and female crossing over a little. Earlier in the season i get females one day and males the next, or even the day after as its a 2-3 day cycle. Female is on the left and is slightly greener and has a very small opening to the flower. the male on the right is a stronger yellow and is open a bit wider. if you are used to other annona (Atemoya, cherimoya and sugar apple) then the difference between small and large opening on rollinia will seem fairly subtle, but if you observe them for a while you'll easily work it out.
If you want to check you have worked out your males from females, then just remove one of the 'Mickey Mouse ears' petals to check on the internal organs. Female first then male:
So, once you can identify your males from females you can go about transferring pollen from the males to the females. Often you will need to collect pollen one night, then store it in the fridge for 24-36 hours, then come back to pollinate the females as they flower on different days. there will be some crossover during the later season, but the majority of flowers are in different stages on different days.
I collect the pollen from the males by removing the entire outer flower structure and letting it fall into a small chinese style container made of stainless steel. I then store in the fridge overnight and come out the next evening with my trusty small tipped natural fibre paint brush and find my female flowers. The opening is too small to get the paint brush tip in, so you should remove one of the 'Mickey mouse ears' which gives access to the inner flower. Then get a bit of pollen on your brush (usually mixed with the stamen) and get it onto the sticky part inside the flower (ovary? these guys don't have stigma, do they?). Then move to the next one. Removing one of the petals allows you to mark the ones you've pollinated to check how effective you've been.
I dont pollinate the next day, so I don't remove the petals of the ones I've pollinated, so i can check how its gone. Hopefully in a few days you'll get this
