What could be the cause of unsuccessful pollination?

[Mxptrsn]

Recently I tried to pollinate (selfing and cross pollinating) my phals but a lot of them died. Why? I think I did everything correctly but the flowers just fell off a couple of days later. Why? Can someone help please? Thanks very much.

[rhw7879]

It really depends..

In my experience, you have to use fresh flowers and do not change the environment that the plants are in.. also, since I am in NC, the heat is really bad in the summer. That seemed to be a issue for me last summer when I tried to pollinate a few flowers..

I would try fresh flowers only, and it would be better if the plant was not a youngster..

my 2 cents..

Rob

[Ray]

Success may be affected by age of the flower, age of the pollen, overall health and stamina of the mother plant, and stuff like genetic mismatch - some plants are 3N, so are sterile "mules" that may cause the flower to collapse, but will never form seed.

I recently crossed two cattlianthes under what I though was an ideal condition and situation. A x B took, B x A didn't.

[Royal]

Sometimes they just don't take. If it refuses year after year than it's most likely a triploid and shouldn't be bred anyways. 3n pollen is sterile.

What's the name of the plant(s) in question?