How to hybridize African violets

I want to hybridize my 2 favorite African violets.

I need to know the simplest way to do this. I was reading they form seed pods but my flowers never get pods, was wondering if I had to manually open pollen sacs and pollinate?

How do I know when to pollinate, when flower first opens, days later? How do I transfer pollen?

I read seed plant should be young and pollen plant old, but my younger plant is double petal variety and stamens buried under petals so is it ok if my older plant is used for seeds instead, its single petaled and easy to work with.

Do pollinated plants need extra care, what about fertilizing and humidity?

This is the simplest way I know.Remove the pollen sacs from the 'father ' plant.The bloom on the 'mother' plant should be about 3 days old so the stigma will be slightly sticky.Sometimes it will look like it is glistening.Break open the pollen with a razor or fingernail and apply it to the style of the mother plant.You can use a paintbrush if you want.I just use the back of my thumbnail.

You will know it 'took' if the blossom falls or shrivels up and the ovary swells on the 'mother' plant.

You can remove the pollen sacs from the 'mother ' plant before pollinating if you wish,to avoid self-pollination.

It doesn't really matter which plant you choose to be the pollen plant.

As far as extra care,it is not necessary.Just don't let the plant get so dry it wilts.

Ok got down when its ready to be pollinated, but now I have pollen questions.

Do I use pollen from a flower a few days old, or flowers that are dying?

Can I store unopened pollen sacs, what about opened pollen? How long is pollen viable?


Can I use pollen from 2 plants on same stigma, meaning will both pollen put on same time work or will one cancel the other out?

Pollen should be at least a few days old. Some say to use old blooms because the pollen is dry and more powdery.. Pollen can be stored in the refrigerator,but I am not sure how long it is viable.Old flowers can be stored in a baggie with a desiccant to keep it dry.
No,you can't use 2 different pollens on one stigma.Only one would take and maybe neither.

This link may help.
http://www.rachelsreflections.org/hybridizing.htm