I gonna stick my neck out here by describing a planned experiment BEFORE it’s executed, nevermind whether it produces any results. I have JT-02 growing both as a small stand-alone tree and as a few grafts on an established tree. I grafted those myself; rootstock is DV. I also have Taishu purchased from a forum member, growing in a pot. Rootstock is unknown.
Following my own advice that somebody should back-cross JT-02 to Taishu in order to produce a non-astringent hybrid, I’m gonna give it a try.
Here’s Step 1 (see picture), where I’ve bagged ~20 branches with unopened female flowers. I’d guesstimate that the bags hold 50-80 blossoms. A lot depends on how many of these blossoms eventually drop.
Meanwhile, Taishu’s male flowers are just barely starting to open. I’ll have to harvest as much pollen as I can.
Admittedly, I’m winging it. I;ve never done this before. If anyone has any suggestions, maybe especially about collecting and saving pollen, please weigh in.
