Phal Flower Stem Question

[tim abbott]

This plant has been highly prolific producing flowers and keikis. I left the flower stems from last year and have several new baby plants growing, This years flowers have dropped off & I noticed the base of 3 flowers are different from the others. I was wondering is this a sign of seeds being produced or is it something else. These 3 all grew from last years flower stems. The first photo shows the keikies and the last 2 show close ups of the flower bases. Thank you

Tim Abbott

[Royal]

Hi Tim,

Yes, those are developing seed capsules. Did you pollinate them?

[Oscarman]

WOW, that plant is really going to town. What are you feeding that thing!

[marydaniellesantos]

The last two pictures are seed capsules in the making! Just as Royal said. They may or may not be viable seed though...

On another note, Your plant looks extremely happy!

[tim abbott]

Thanks for the info. I was given this plant several years ago & it is the easiest orchid I have to cultivate. I don't do anything but fertilize periodically, water every few days & keep it under a big shefflera tree. So is there a possibility that seeds will form inside of these pods? DO you harvest when the pod dries up? That is exciting. I have gotten 2 generations of clones from this plant so far, I think I have four now, all from keikes & all but 1 of them grew from a flower stem. Below is a picture of it in full bloom this year(actually I have a clone of this plant in the same pot & it also flowered this year although only 1 flower stem)



Tim Abbott

[tim abbott]

I did some research about harvesting seeds & propagating plants from them, it certainly is an involved and lengthy process. Seems amazing that orchids can reproduce in the wild, must be a very small percentage that survive. Maybe I'll just plant the seed pod!

Tim Abbott

[nutgirl]

That is a gorgeous plant....good growing!!!

Maureen