Sophronitis cernua (Project 14 - Spring 2012)

[Leafmite]

Daenerys, that is really a cute picture! Love how nice the orchid and mount look.

[Rowangreen]

Well I think my leaf is open far enough that I can pretty definitely say no buds. Not surprising really with mine being small to start and then all the root issues.

I guess what I've got it in now isn't far off mounted really: dries out very fast! Keeping fingers crossed for new root growth now. Hopefully once the leaf is fully open!

[orchidsarefun]

Still doing well. No further root or leaf growth

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[nenella]

My news: I had a total of 3 new growths (leaves) - 2 leaves opened one with bud blasted... the other has no signs of buds and the third leaf is smaller than the other two and has not opened yet.... Hopefully I will see flowers next year on other growths....

[Bud]

I am sorry to hear about your buds blasting, nenella....maybe the third leaf might give you blooms....

@orchidsarefun: you have several seed pods! that is way too cool!

[FairyInTheFlowers]

Ooooooooo, these plants are all looking so great!! Even though I'm not really a Catt grower, I think I might have to jump in on this and buy one when I get the opportunity! They look so small and cute!

[31drew31]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

Still doing well. No further root or leaf growth

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Very cool!!

I have never pollinated orchids but would love to try. Could you give a short explanation how it is done on S. cernua? I do understand the basics of removing the pollinia and placing it on the stigma but not exactly sure where/how to find each part.

[camille1585]

I haven't posted anything lately, there's not much to report! The leaves have fully opened and that's it. Happy plant otherwise, and it will be moving under lights soon now that the shitty dutch fall-winter weather has arrived and the window now gets a very limited amount of sunlight.

[orchidsarefun]

Originally Posted by 31drew31

Very cool!!

I have never pollinated orchids but would love to try. Could you give a short explanation how it is done on S. cernua? I do understand the basics of removing the pollinia and placing it on the stigma but not exactly sure where/how to find each part.

I have pollinated other orchids - zygo's and phals....and also amaryllis and various other flowers. This was the most difficult for me because of the size of the flower , the location of the stigma ( hidden ), and because the pollinia are not yellow - and are tiny ! The pollinia are greyish/black - basically unlike any other pollen I have ever seen. I had 2 donor flowers to use - both mini-catts. I couldn't find the pollinia on either - even under a loupe light ! I decided to self the sophie as when I had removed the anther caps on all of the sophie flowers, I had noticed the separate pollinia.

I suggest you experiment on a flower first and see if you can find the pollinia. THEN
- remove the anther cap/pollinia on the mother flower
- use a pinhead to transport the pollinia
- the stigma is just underneath the mother pollen area. You will see 2 "arms" that have a narrow gap between them.
- literally force the pollinia onto the stigma with the aid of the pinhead. The stigmata were also not "open" - hence the "force". On other flowers the stigma is what I call welcoming with "open arms". Not on sophie....
- if capsule develops and lasts over 3 months, then its likely you will get seed.
I must admit that without my experience in other pollination, I would have struggled even more.......
Good Luck, apologies for the non-scientific use of terms and explanation.

[orchidsarefun]

oh - and the pollinia and stigma are not sticky so forget those benefits. I had to upend the sophie and be very careful with the pinhead when transferring the pollen.
The picture I have painted may be gloomy, but please don't be put off. I feel that I have learnt a lot through this process, even if the capsules fail. I never expected them to "take" in the first place....