Botanists specializing in Orchidaceae often use the Kew mixture to keep original size and shape of orchid flowers. I was wondering if this mixture allow to keep natural shape and structure of orchid pollinia too. In other words, if I decide to preserve orchid flower in the Kew mixture and later decide to take some pictures of pollinia using SEM microscope, may I expect that they will look like from fresh flowers? Or maybe their structures will be changed (distroyed)?
Thank you in advance for your comments.
Best regards,
Radomir
Dear Radomir,
You can contact Dr. Avishek Bhattacharjee
He works on Orchids and so far as I known he has taken SEM images of pollinia.
With best wishes,
Subir.
Dear Subir,
Thank you very much for the answer and contact to Dr. Bhattacharjee.
Best regards,
Radomir
Dear Radomir,
I have a BD with SEM images of pollinia for orchids collection in Museum of Paris.
I study the indochina flora
What genera are you interesting ?.
Radomir:
In my opinion the answer is NO. Mixtures used to preserve flowers will gradually destroy the pollinia by disolving their parts. You will probably find them partially destroyed or dismembered. I strongly recommend your you to use fresh flowers instead. All the best!
Thank you very much for interesting and useful comments.
Best regards,
Radomir
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