Pollen mobility and humidity?

[dld]

At what level of humidity does pollen not fly? Could this be something that's different from one variety to the next?

[jcm05]

It is certainly variety specific. Some varieties are much better in high humidity than others. I noticed last year that pollen shed became less evident at dewpoints above 50.

[carolyn137]

I've never seen good information on this and it comes up all the time, especially in terms of blossom drop for those living in hot humid areas.

If the temps are over about 90F for a sustained period of time, see, I said sustained, but I havn't seen data that tells me how long, then the pollen is denatured and non viable.

And if the humidity is sustained, same story as above, I don't know what specific levels or how long, then the pollen becomes clumped and is much less effective.

And for sure it can be variety specific.

I feel for those in humid hot areas who have both issues to deal with but many of them know that they've got to get those plants out there before the summer heat and humidity do their damage.

Quite a few years ago I talked to a Petoseed hybridizer who was based in FL and was doing research on humidity and pollen clumping in terms of breeding more tolerant varieties but I never read anything else more about that.

Maybe someone here has done so?

Carolyn