We have been able to successfully germinate western larch (Larix occidental
is Nutt.) pollen in vitro. Pollen was rehydrated at 100% RH for 16 h before
being sprinkled on semisolid and liquid media. The basic medium contained
Brewbaker and Kwack minerals diluted 1:10 and was supplemented with polyeth
ylene glycol 4000 and three different concentrations of sucrose. The flavon
ol quercetin was also included in half of the media. More pollen grains sur
vived on liquid media, but semisolid media gave superior germination result
s. Two to 9% of the grains produced tubes. Quercetin had no major effect on
germination, viability, or tube length.