What stops germination?

[Bcrazy]

We have all seen the bees bringing back loads of pollen into the hive and we know they store it in the cells. the question i am asking is

With the correct environment for germination why do the pollen grains not germinate and grow pollen tubes?

The tempreture in the hive is constant at 35degrees C. this is ideal for germination to take place so what stops it?

Mo

 

[Baggyone]

Maybe the honey that sets it all together puts the grains in suspended animation?

Great question.

 

[Bcrazy]

Hearly there but not quite. will explain later.

Mo

 

[Flatters]

From Wiki:- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilisation

Flowering plantsAfter the carpel is pollinated, the pollen grain germinates in a response to a sugary fluid secreted by the mature stigma (mainly sucrose). From each pollen grain, a pollen tube grows out that attempts to travel to the ovary by creating a path through the female tissue. The vegetative (or tube) and generative nuclei of the pollen grain pass into its respective pollen tube. After the pollen grain adheres to the stigma of the carpel (female reproductive structure) a pollen tube grows and penetrates the ovule through a tiny pore called a micropyle.

I would assume from this that since the "sugary fluid secreted by the mature stigma " is not present, the pollen grain remains intact.

 

[Bcrazy]

Your replies are good but not answering the question.
Question was What stops the germination of the pollen ?


Answer the Honey bee secrets an acid bacteria named Lactial Acid bacteria from her honey crop and adds it to the pollen as she collects the pellets this bacteria stops the germination of the individual grains of pollen.
There was an article in the BeeCraft last year about this .

I hope that has given you all further knowledge about how the little darlings operate.

 

[Luminos]

That's really interesting, thankyou Bcrazy.