Haraella retrocalla x Phal. equestris: pod maturity time?
 

Since I've always thought Haraella retrocalla should be used in more hybrids and mine is blooming like there's no tomorrow, I pollinated her on a whim. Much to my surprise, it took like wildfire and she has a capsule that has developed and grown very rapidly. The father is Phalaenopsis equestris alba.

Now, assuming the capsule continues to grow, anyone have any idea at all how long Haraella capsules take to mature? I've had a Doritaenopsis pollinated before and capsules took quite a while to mature (I don't recall how long -- that was 20 years ago, and I didn't do the pollinating).

Anyone have any ideas? I know what to watch for in the case that it's time to flask, but I'd like to know how long I have to find materials and figure out how the heck to grow the seeds, if they develop and are fertile.

No clue myself but just wanted to say that it sounds like it could be a very kool cross!

Thanks - am hoping that Phal. equestris ups the flower count, and Haraella brings down plant size, makes for a bigger, fancier lip, and that both parents contribute to a baby who is a vigourous grower and a profligate bloomer.

My information says 170-180 days for Haraella retrocalla, but what the cross would be I don't know. Have you considered green pod culture? Perhaps you are aware of that, but exotic crosses like this often produce little or no viable seed even when you get a good capsule. Hope you get something, though. Sounds like a really different cross.

I'm aware of green pod culture, but a total noob to flasking. I presume with green pod culture one doesn't wait for seed to ripen and the pod to split, but instead opens the fruit as it's just ripening and sows moist seed from the capsule.

I'd do just about anything to make this one work. I'd like to see the flowers.

I figured this cross would be reasonably logical considering the close geographic proximity of the species' ranges. I have such high hopes that I'm considering a second round of it, since a second flower has opened on Miss Haraella and, of course, dad is still blooming like mad.

Thanks for the info. I'll watch carefully and maybe post pictures if I can get them.

If you're really banking on this one, I'd try making the cross both ways. Couldn't hurt.

Also, I know that green pod method has its merits, but I would suggest leaving the first capsule to split and harvest the seed dry. If you're not sure how fast the seed will mature, you have no real guide for when to harvest the green pod. Plus, dry seed can be divided, saved, or send to a lab.

To increase your odds I would let the first one split and try sowing on as many media variations as possible. Then later, harvest one of the re-makes at about 80% maturity for green pod sowing (if the dry seed fails to germinate).

Oh, I did make it in reverse. The Phalaenopsis equestris alba barely noticed, and the flower faded without a capsule developing. It just didn't take.

I am considering trying again, though -- the pod is still developing on the Haraella, and it has yet another rising flower spike.

Of course, there's also the temptation to cross with a different Phalaenopsis species I also have in bloom (cornu-cervi aurea). However, the equestris cross just seems so much more logical.

That really sounds like and interesting cross. Good luck with it.

According to my research the pods take over 365 days. I have 2 pods cooking right now on my Haraella and I'm trying to be patient. Mine is a selfing. Not sure if your cross will cut down the time, but not sure.

Ok, try this (if you haven't already): try to leave the pollinia on the equestris so it doesn't realize it's been "messed with." The pollen tubes may be a bit slower on the Haraella, but leaving the anther cap intact on the Phal might keep the flower in good shape for long enough for the magic to happen.