Stanhopea tigrina (peloric)

[Frdemetr]

I found this peloric last year, amongst dozens of usual tigrinas; to my delight, is a very easy plant to grow and bloom! During rebasketing I broke and let it drop two pieces, one with two pbulbs and one with only one pbulb, and both pieces are growing like weeds!
I'll try again to selfing it, in 2008 the polination didn't work!

[isurus79]

What a strange looking Stan! Any thoughts on why the selfing didn't work last time?

[Frdemetr]

Steve,

I'm not sure about the selfing fail....Technically speaking, this plan is a monstrosity, and it may be sterile....
Anyway I'll try again!

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Frdemetr

Technically speaking, this plan is a monstrosity, and it may be sterile....

Its a very interesting 'monstrosity' though! Good luck!

[Gwallogwyn]

Self Pollinating Stanopeas

Remove the anther cap and pollinia. This triggers the stigmatic
area to start to become receptive. About 2 hours is needed for
the stigmatic cleft to open and become active.
Let the pollen dry out and reduce in size for 2 hours. It is to
bulky at first to fit in the stigmatic cleft.
Separate the 2 lobes of pollen and put them in a drop of saliva.
The enzymes in saliva dissolve the surface proteins that prevent
self-fertilization. I have found between 15 minutes to half an
hour is sufficient. Enzymatic-type contact lens cleaning solution
would be an alternative to saliva.
By now the stigmatic cleft will have opened and will be receptive.
Insert the 2 lobes of pollen one at a time with a tooth pick or
needle
If all goes right in 6 to 7 months the seed capsule will be mature.

[tuvoc]

Cool. Stans are weird enough on a good day. I love it!

Kim

[Aceetobe]

Peloric flowers are almost always sterile. The occurance of peloric flowers is due to the loss of some floral pattering genes - this usually occurs due to loss of an entire chromosome, causing aneuploidy.

In rare cases this could be due to a chromosomal translocation or a random frameshift mutation, which could perhaps maintain its fertility - but don't rely on this second case. I assume this is most likely the case for the var aquinii cattleyas.

[Frdemetr]

Hi friends!

I'm relatively skilled in the pollination of Stans, and usually I leave the pollinia to dry overnight before inserting them into the stigma (of a flower previously "excited" by the withdrawal of their own pollinia). The novelty for me was the enzymatic treatment of pollinia (thanks Gwallogwyn!) to helps self-pollination; in fact my success in pollination of Stans occurs frequently in cross-pollination or hybridization.
I'll try again with the use of saliva, but unfortunately I believe Aceetobe is right....

[SP2340]

Very cool, thanks for sharing!

[shadytrake]

Could you tell me what your potting media is in the basket? I have 2 Stans that I need to pot up in a basket and am curious as to your medium.