How to pollinate corn

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  • čas přidán 25. 08. 2024
  • Growing organic food can be very rewarding and fun for the entire family. This video discusses pollinating corn by hand. Corn is a wind pollinated plant and if you don't have many rows of corn planted, (or have only one single row of corn planted), proper pollination of the female corn ears can be difficult. If the ears of corn that you pick have blank sections on it once it gets shucked, this is an example of inadequate pollination. There are several ways to hand pollinate corn, I explained two methods in this video. Each one of the female hairs, I call them hairs but the scientific name is (stigmas) the common name is (silk or corn silk) are attached to a kernel inside the stalk. Each one of those hairs (or stigmas) need to be pollinated for the kernel to grow. When each one is adequately pollinated, you will have a beautiful full ear of corn with rows of kernels. Hope you enjoy the video. Thanks for watching!

Komentáře • 273

  • @ourroadtocollegecheerleadi1708

    This was super helpful to me. I’m growing corn for the first time and I’m learning a lot. It’s harder than it looks.

    • @axxeman2002
      @axxeman2002 Před 4 lety +4

      Yes indeed, me too. I'm in the UK and decided to give it a try. As you said, a simple super helpful video. Whatever did we do before You Tube assistance!

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 4 lety +2

      Thank you, so glad you found the information useful ! :)

    • @miguelharo8220
      @miguelharo8220 Před 2 lety

      @@HomesteadersFreedom buenas tardes, como puede traducir el video a español , subtítulos no me da la opción, gracias.

    • @ab_ab_c
      @ab_ab_c Před rokem

      Corn is pretty easy to grow, actually. You just need to ensure your soil has plenty of nitrogen & you keep the plants watered.

  • @rekster11
    @rekster11 Před 3 lety +3

    Great corn video! I’m a first time 🌽 grower that’s no longer clueless about hand-pollinating 😀

  • @amandawilson8935
    @amandawilson8935 Před rokem +1

    This video is 10 years old and it's so helpful!!! Thank you much!

  • @ericb6481
    @ericb6481 Před 5 lety +10

    Thanks for sharing from Australia, I think I need to do this to my corn in a few days.

  • @LiliansGardens
    @LiliansGardens Před rokem +1

    Thanks for this. I hope to plant about twenty corn next year. Great to know I can use this method on a small scale garden.. I'm subbed now.

  • @silverxxvi8193
    @silverxxvi8193 Před 4 lety +3

    Thanks for the tip on pollinating every silk, I'll try to do that.
    I have 6 plants growing indoors in tomato growbags (3 per bag) supported by canes. They're over 8' tall and each has 2 or 3 cobs. I collect extra pollen in an open jar, because sometimes the pollen drops before the silks appear. I don't seal the jar otherwise the pollen sticks together with condensation. Another 3 plants outdoors are growing well but at a slower pace (UK weather). If growing indoors be aware they produce a lot of pollen and surrounding surfaces end up coated in yellow powder and seed cases - I should have enclosed the male flowers in a paper bag as the video states.

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 4 lety +1

      Thank you for watching and it sounds like your plants are doing amazing! Yea corn pollen gets everywhere, sometimes early in the morning you can go out an tap your corn plants and just watch the pollen fly off ! :)

  • @joeyossarian4689
    @joeyossarian4689 Před rokem

    Thank you for a simple way to explain this process.

  • @JessieK
    @JessieK Před 10 lety +3

    Great tutorial, thank you! I have just a few stalks growing in 5 gallon buckets so I knew I was going to have to hand pollinate but had no idea how. Thanks again!

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 10 lety

      Thanks so much for watching! I'm glad the video helped, I hope your corn comes out nice! :)

  • @shadowicytheghost5363
    @shadowicytheghost5363 Před 9 lety +4

    This is a really nice video! I planted corn in 2014 up here in Alaska and it did kinda good considering I had really bad dirt. After watching this I now know how to grow a lot of corn! Thanks and keep up the good videos!

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 8 lety

      Thank you for watching and commenting! So sorry for some of these late responses, sometimes comments seem to slip by and I miss them. I hope you were able to grow a lot of happy and healthy corn! :)

  • @misakit.4110
    @misakit.4110 Před rokem

    Thank you! I didn't know anything about the corn plant until this video. Extremely helpful. Thank you 🥰

  • @nancyshray9429
    @nancyshray9429 Před 4 lety +1

    Excellent video thank you so much. To the point informative.

  • @jaymelee23
    @jaymelee23 Před 9 lety +9

    Great video! Thank you so much for going slow and in depth! This really helped a lot!

  • @abishjasso5531
    @abishjasso5531 Před 5 lety +2

    This is my first time growing corn and to be honest I had no idea of the growing process. Until the male stalks started to grow I was like “what is this?” Is my corn supposed to look like this in the beginning?” Haha so ignorant 😂 I’m happy I found your video. Very well explained!!! Thank you so much!!

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 4 lety

      Thank you for watching Homesteaders Freedom! Yes corn takes a while to get tall and each plant is both male and female. The male pollen portion is on the top and the females are the corns and the cornsilks catch the pollen. So happy your trying your hand at growing corn, its alot of fun and there is no better tasting corn then the ones you grow yourself! Happy planting, and thanks for visiting!

  • @Johanna-qf1yx
    @Johanna-qf1yx Před 4 lety

    THANK YOU!!!! You explained very well and loved how u showed each stage !! God is good . This is amazing

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 4 lety

      Thank you for watching Homesteaders Freedom and for commenting! So glad you enjoyed the video!

  • @marefreed4140
    @marefreed4140 Před 10 lety +2

    That was grreat! Thank you for making this video. I'm growing corn for the first time this year, and now I know how to hand pollinate.

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 10 lety

      Thanks for watching and commenting. You are so welcome, I hope your corn comes out great for you! I just posted a new video that shows an example of some corn pieces that didn't get 100% pollinated. You may like that one as well.

  • @seamossoahu
    @seamossoahu Před 8 lety +3

    This video was excellent. Very informative.

  • @markedid5818
    @markedid5818 Před 3 lety

    Good video. Answered all the questions I was wondering about.

  • @stacey248
    @stacey248 Před 2 lety

    What a miraculous plant. thanks

  • @darlenepatrick2637
    @darlenepatrick2637 Před 4 lety +2

    Thank you so much for this video!! Best explanation I have found. For real!!

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 3 lety

      Glad it was helpful, you're very welcome!

    • @darlenepatrick2637
      @darlenepatrick2637 Před 3 lety

      @@HomesteadersFreedom FYI because of this video I had 38 ears of perfect Cobb's from 24 stalks!

  • @kcmcree4085
    @kcmcree4085 Před 10 lety

    Great video. Thanks for the information about hand pollinating corn.

  • @goldengirl65
    @goldengirl65 Před rokem

    Terrific basic clear info. Just what I was looking for. Thanks.

  • @aconsideration
    @aconsideration Před 7 lety +1

    I failed at corn last year, but I think I do this. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 7 lety

      Thank you for watching Homesteaders Freedom! In addition to hand pollinating, another thing that will help you grow your corn is to plant it in square or rectangular blocks as opposed to a single long row. Since corn is wind pollinated having multiple rows right next to each other say (5 short rows each having 5-10 plants) will help the plants pollinate each other more readily from the wind. Good luck on your garden! :)

  • @dedonohue1
    @dedonohue1 Před 3 lety

    Thank you for showing the female when they first emerge. This is my first year and I was trying to find a video showing where to look for the female as my corn is just starting to show some tassels.

  • @margaretdrake1978
    @margaretdrake1978 Před 3 lety +3

    EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT!!!!!!

  • @dschott1083
    @dschott1083 Před 5 lety

    I'm on my 3rd time growing corn. I have so much to learn. Teach us everything you want..I am all EARS lol..
    In this vid you went over identifying the growing ears and that was very helpful to me because I have tassels appearing at the top of my stalks, but no visible ear growth other than swollen stalk parts which I recognize as new ears, but I was concerned that I had tassels and no silks or more obvious ears yet. So thank you so much and looking forward to more.

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 4 lety

      Thank you for watching Homesteaders Freedom! Very happy you found the video helpful!

  • @dbraconi
    @dbraconi Před 8 lety +10

    Very helpful. I will give this method a try. Thanks for the video!

  • @distortedsoul84
    @distortedsoul84 Před 6 lety +1

    Nice pinkish tassel-fireworks

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 6 lety

      Thank you for watching Homesteaders Freedom! Yes they are quite beautiful. :)

  • @maryevins7310
    @maryevins7310 Před 3 lety

    Great video. My corn rows are about the same. 👍👍👍

  • @BarryKooda
    @BarryKooda Před 9 lety

    I just checked our tiny corn and there were only a few kernels in each so I Googled this video. Very helpful.
    Thanks!

  • @itskelvinn
    @itskelvinn Před 8 lety +3

    Excellent tutorial. I have 14 stalks and will do the same

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 8 lety +1

      Thank you, glad you found the video helpful, and thank you for commenting!

  • @carolinebutcher7736
    @carolinebutcher7736 Před 2 lety

    Great video, really useful, thank you 😊

  • @2BitRanch
    @2BitRanch Před rokem

    Thank you. Very helpful

  • @Drewcipha
    @Drewcipha Před 4 lety

    I love the sound of your voice. What a cute video. Definitely am going to watch more of your channel

  • @paramjitKaur-qx3bi
    @paramjitKaur-qx3bi Před 4 lety

    Very helpful. Now I understand the difference between male and female part.

  • @haroonalam9217
    @haroonalam9217 Před 5 lety +1

    Very helpful thank you

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 5 lety

      Thank you for watching and for commenting! I'm very happy you found the video useful.

  • @rebeccatobin6367
    @rebeccatobin6367 Před 5 lety

    This was super helpful, thanks! First time growing corn here in Maryland

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 5 lety

      Thank you for watching and for commenting! I'm very glad the video was helpful ! Also if you have enough space, planting the corn in blocks. (5x5, 6x6. etc) as opposed to a single row will provide the corn with the capability to effectively wind pollinate on its own, so little to no hand pollination would be needed with that type of organizational setup.

    • @rebeccatobin6367
      @rebeccatobin6367 Před 5 lety

      @@HomesteadersFreedom thanks for the tip! I have it planted in three circles of 6... as I saw pictured in a diagram showing a Native American Three Sisters set up. So, maybe it would have been fine on it's own, but I've been giving a helping hand anyway to be sure.

  • @gwanma
    @gwanma Před 3 lety

    this was very helpful and informative. thanks so much because i have about the same situation as you and will need to do this. us

  • @MaryBakerPasoRobles
    @MaryBakerPasoRobles Před 10 lety +1

    Very helpful, thanks! I have a few stalks of Bloody Butcher ready for pollination in my little backyard in Tucson. Can't wait to see if this works!

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 10 lety

      Thanks for watching and commenting! I'm so excited for you and I hope it works well for you, there's nothing like fresh picked corn! :)

  • @jthepickle7
    @jthepickle7 Před 2 lety

    This year I'm planting a small crop for seed, Golden Bantam.
    I'll be hand pollinating and surrounding it with portable electric fencing - contra Raccoons.
    ...the most labor intensive 'crop' in the County!

  • @kennethsmith8844
    @kennethsmith8844 Před 5 měsíci

    In Waimea Kauai my Japanese mother was the queen bee for the corn company. She would collect pollen , then pollinate silk then cover with paper bag. She loved her boss and job. 🥰

  • @saltlifegull4091
    @saltlifegull4091 Před 4 lety

    Wow, excellent instruction. Way to go and thanks!

  • @Sydney-Ghumo
    @Sydney-Ghumo Před rokem

    Thank you for the info

  • @oscartripon1041
    @oscartripon1041 Před 10 lety +1

    thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

  • @bonnyhills
    @bonnyhills Před 6 lety

    Thanks for the tips. I’m excited to try this.

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 6 lety

      You're welcome, thank you for watching the Homesteaders Freedom channel!

  • @markbowen1463
    @markbowen1463 Před 5 lety

    Thank you for a great video! I'm a first time maize (corn) grower here in Cape Town, South Africa 😊

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 5 lety

      Thank you for watching and for commenting! I really hope the video was helpful and you have a great harvest!

  • @Rhodeislander
    @Rhodeislander Před 4 lety

    Cool I had no idea. I just planted my first batch.

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 4 lety

      Thank you for watching and for commenting! Best wishes with your first batch I hope you have a huge harvest!

  • @madhattermd1
    @madhattermd1 Před 2 lety

    Thank you for the info!!! :)

  • @bjdumas
    @bjdumas Před 9 lety

    Good video on how to pollinate corn. Thank you for the vital information! Happy Gardening!..:-)

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 8 lety

      Thank you, and thanks for watching the video and commenting! Happy Gardening! :)

  • @spontos26532
    @spontos26532 Před 8 lety

    Thank you for this video!!! I didn't know you had to pollinate the hairs.... I only have 4 corn stalks n saw that one of them had silk but I thought that was it.... Thank you for all the great info! I will be pollinating tomorrow morning!

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 8 lety

      Your welcome, glad the video was helpful! Thank you for watching and for commenting! :)

  • @mioangel1227
    @mioangel1227 Před 6 lety +1

    Thanks a lot for your sweet explanation! I didn't have an idea about the flowers. I had 10 plants, but raccoons took their share leaving 4 plants only. One of them has male flowers, the female haven't shown up yet.

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 6 lety

      Thank you for watching HomesteadersFreedom! Sorry to hear about the raccoons they do tend to like corn!

  • @mch2359
    @mch2359 Před 4 lety

    Liked seeing the firefly. Very informative video.

  • @RIght2themoon
    @RIght2themoon Před 2 lety

    You narrate well.

  • @baynerw
    @baynerw Před 8 lety +4

    Thank you very much for posting the vid! First time planting corn and the first tassel just opened up sometime yesterday. Not all the seeds took or were knocked over by a storm(tilled from grass/lawn this spring) so now I have gaps, almost a whole row in some areas. I figure I am going to have to hand pollinate considering the gaps and with your video....I think It'll be ok. Noticed you support your corn stalks? What is that item? Bamboo?Hope my corn does ALMOST as well as the tomatoes, one tomato plant collapsed the cage believe it or not. Should have bought stronger cages.

  • @andrewkhalifa4711
    @andrewkhalifa4711 Před 3 lety

    You really helped me!

  • @bbhall020202
    @bbhall020202 Před 4 lety

    I grew up on a farm and never knew this. TY.

  • @Ruacach
    @Ruacach Před 11 lety +1

    Thank you... very clearly explained, it's my first time growing corn so this is much appreciated. Maybe you could do one later to show how you know when the corn is ripe... :D

  • @nickuk911
    @nickuk911 Před 5 lety +1

    This planet really is amazing ! Thanks for sharing i ned some help with my corn in the Polytunnel.

  • @allykcarter16
    @allykcarter16 Před 10 lety +2

    Thanks for sharing this x

  • @pawpower1023
    @pawpower1023 Před 3 lety

    Thank you so so much

  • @miguelharo8220
    @miguelharo8220 Před 2 lety

    Saludos desde Argentina

  • @bridgerbingham
    @bridgerbingham Před 4 lety

    This was a very helpful video thanks so much ♥️

  • @joeglaza
    @joeglaza Před 5 lety

    Thanks for making this. Hopefully, I can use this on the 6 plants that I have. Limited space and it seemed like something fun to try.

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 5 lety +1

      Thank you for watching Homesteaders Freedom and for commenting. Good luck on growing your corn! Also if you have limited space and not a lot of corn, another thing that will help is to plant them in square rows.. such as right next to each other in a 3x3, 4x4 square. This will increase natural pollination. Avoid planting them in one single row for best outcome! Happy growing!!

  • @thedealer799
    @thedealer799 Před 2 lety

    Looks just like mine. Tall and skinny. Interesting. Also organic using no till methods.

  • @seanmcglynn2476
    @seanmcglynn2476 Před 2 lety

    Thank you

  • @mg4468
    @mg4468 Před 4 lety

    Well done, informative, not boring...you’ve grown some nice “pretty girls”! (I’m glad I’m not the only one who talks to my plants😐)

  • @robintabone1028
    @robintabone1028 Před 9 lety

    awesome! thank you :) great video, nice speaking voice and tone so I could hear you clearly and great camera work, good job on stopping for the firefly!

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 9 lety

      Robin Tabone Thank you for the positive comments! So glad you enjoyed the video!

  • @blazer666del
    @blazer666del Před 6 lety

    Still watching in 2018... thanks for the info I have 25 plants so Im going to make sure all the cobbs get fertilized correctly now...UK sends high five

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 6 lety

      Thank you for watching Homesteaders Freedom and for commenting! Sending a high five back! Thanks! :)

  • @cinthyagaxiola6415
    @cinthyagaxiola6415 Před 10 lety

    This is very helpful. Thank you for sharing.

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 10 lety

      You're very welcome! So glad you found this video helpful, thanks for watching!

  • @Sirabun-qd6nu
    @Sirabun-qd6nu Před rokem

    Terimakasi sangat mengedukasi

  • @hassanw.3866
    @hassanw.3866 Před 2 lety

    Thanks a lot

  • @angeleenanntomin8175
    @angeleenanntomin8175 Před 4 lety

    Very helpful for my studies
    Thanks for this video 😊

  • @misslady7443
    @misslady7443 Před 2 lety

    thank you so much

  • @anonz975
    @anonz975 Před 5 lety

    Good explanation. Thanks!

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 5 lety

      You're welcome and thank you for watching Homesteaders Freedom and for commenting!

  • @rays3995
    @rays3995 Před 4 lety

    Thanks for teaching me

  • @nekaknowsnekaslivedit3686

    Thanks

  • @nickmyatt
    @nickmyatt Před 10 lety

    Very good video. My silks just showed today. Silver queen sweet corn. Silks are green though. Guess I'll start this tomorrow

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 10 lety

      Hi! Thanks for stopping by the channel and for commenting. Peaches and Cream corn is what we grew this year. It came out GREAT! There were some here and there that didn't completely fertilize but most of them did very well. Good luck, I hope all comes out well with your corn!

  • @marinabel815
    @marinabel815 Před 7 lety

    wow, thank you, glad i found this video, very good information, i love growing stuff, but don't know about importance of pollination! ....and you're funny! M, Seattle, WA

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 7 lety

      Thank you for watching Homesteaders Freedom and for commenting. So glad you found this video useful!

  • @Jorickhoofd
    @Jorickhoofd Před 5 lety

    Thanks for sharing!

  • @joeybez5464
    @joeybez5464 Před 2 lety

    thanks the only video that explained it weii

  • @peppermann
    @peppermann Před 5 lety

    Great, thanks for the video, very clear.

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 5 lety

      Thank you for watching Homesteaders Freedom and for commenting, I'm very happy the video was beneficial.

  • @SoundOfFreedom67
    @SoundOfFreedom67 Před 8 lety +1

    That is some really nice, dark soil there, wow

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 8 lety

      +FragranceOfChrist67 Thank you for watching the video and commenting! :)

  • @tomjones4318
    @tomjones4318 Před 4 lety +1

    My Jimmy Red field corn has just tasseled at ten feet but there's no sign of the female yet. I stressed them with a little chemical burn and wonder if that threw them off.

  • @devourer5042
    @devourer5042 Před 2 lety +2

    1. Start with fresh corn seeds for the best results.
    2. Directly sow seeds approximately 1.5 to 2 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart.
    3. Cover with soil, space your rows of seeds 30 to 36
    inches apart.
    4. Water your block of corn well after planting.
    5. Corn stalks are sturdy and should not need staking.

  • @kantwinnada
    @kantwinnada Před 10 lety

    Great video! Thank you.

  • @HomesteadersFreedom
    @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 9 lety +7

    @benjamin clemmons: Wow, all the way from Alaska! I've always wanted to go there it looks like a beautiful place. I'm so glad you found this video useful and I hope you have a plentiful bounty of corn during your next growing season! Thanks so much for watching and for commenting!

  • @debras4854
    @debras4854 Před 9 lety

    I learned a lot. Thank you.

  • @benc5464
    @benc5464 Před 7 lety

    Fascinating! Thank you!

  • @balistaduphroe7956
    @balistaduphroe7956 Před 7 lety

    Really Helpful very good video

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 7 lety +1

      Thank you for watching Homesteaders Freedom! Glad this video was helpful!

  • @LindaCasey
    @LindaCasey Před 9 lety

    Yes, very helpful, thank you. I'll try that this year ..

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 9 lety

      Linda Casey Your welcome I'm so glad you found this video helpful. Thank you for watching!

  • @Octurd
    @Octurd Před 4 lety

    Thanx this is exactly what i was looking for :)

  • @laurap4415
    @laurap4415 Před 8 lety

    this is super helpful, thanks!

  • @mmackintosh2722
    @mmackintosh2722 Před 6 lety

    Excellent video, very informative thank you for sharing it I learned a lot which will help me with my corn :-)

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 6 lety +1

      Thank you for watching Homesteaders Freedom, so glad you found the information useful.

  • @Mrbfgray
    @Mrbfgray Před 10 lety

    Thank you! Helps me with my 'milti-stage' (diff plant times) 12 by 25 ft. plot.

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 10 lety

      Thanks for watching! That's a nice size plot I hope the food you planted grows well. This year i planted Peaches and Cream corn and it did amazingly well, I hope yours come out great!

  • @04monina
    @04monina Před 8 lety

    thank you soo much !! i was about to give up on my corn !!

    • @HomesteadersFreedom
      @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 8 lety

      +Lea brown Thank you for watching and commenting! Don't ever give up !! Just keep trying and you will have some happy, healthy and tasty corn! :)

  • @HomesteadersFreedom
    @HomesteadersFreedom  Před 11 lety +6

    Thank you for watching the video I'm glad it was beneficial. I have actually made a video on how to tell when your corn is ripe. I recorded it this week and I'm working on getting it ready for posting. I should be releasing that one soon. Thanks for visiting!

  • @indianarowcrop8313
    @indianarowcrop8313 Před 7 lety

    You get that on them big jobs......wow

  • @eeveemcthing2639
    @eeveemcthing2639 Před 5 lety

    Cool !

  • @ProfGauraoSurkar
    @ProfGauraoSurkar Před 3 lety

    Super I’m new suscriber

  • @Johnnyy832
    @Johnnyy832 Před rokem

    “The boys” 😂

  • @robertsullivan1832
    @robertsullivan1832 Před rokem

    Can I ad water to the pollen collected to make a paste and rub it on the silk