How to seed an orchid
 

Hello everyone! I am new to this site. I had a few questions and hope that someone here will be able to assist me or atleast point me to the right direction. I would like to know how to seed an orchid. I have little knowledge on this. I have searched the net and have found little information. Is there a website that you all recommend I should visit? Or, maybe there is a book? Any information you all can give me will be soo helpful. Thanks in advance.

growing orchids from seed can be difficult, but check out the propagation forum :)

Propagation - Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum on the web !

What orchid are you trying to set seed for?

In general, growing orchids from seed is definitely not easy.

There are a few exceptions though.

If you're trying out Bletilla striata, then it should be very easy.

Most other kinds, you've got to use special laboratory type techniques adapted to home use.

Look up home tissue culture or kitchen tissue culture.

Flask and Established Seedling Sales, and Flasking Programs Check out this site. It is very informative. And welcome!! :)

Welcome to OB!

Setting seed is pretty easy. It's the rest of the process that can be tricky! To set seed, place the pollen from one flower onto the stigma of another. In many orchids, the column of the flower (the center part that sticks out) contains both. The diagram here: http://darwin-online.org.uk/converte...F800_fig22.jpg
shows a typical orchid column in cross-section. The technique I've often used is to stick the tip of a toothpick gently into the stigma to get it sticky, then use the sticky end of the toothpick to pry off the anther cap. Usually, the pollinia (chunks of pollen) will stick to the toothpick. Then put the pollen onto the stigma. The stickiness of the stigma will hold the pollen in place. Before you start, though, read the other postings on what you will need to do once you have seed! I would be careful not to pollinate orchids that don't have names, too. They take far too long to grow to bother with unnamed plants...

Once you have successfully grown a pod, the best is to send it to a lab. We use Kelsey Creek. They will then do the rest, but don't be surprised if your pod is sterile. Lots of times the seeds just aren't good. If you have good seeds and they get you a flask, be prepared to wait for 5 years or more (I have one that just bloomed after 9 years.) and then if you haven't planned your hybrid well, it might come out with an really drab or ugly flower. I think it is sometimes best to buy a flask from a lab and try your hand at getting a few to maturity. Betty

There are videos on YouTube that show you how to pollinate a typical orchid flower.

However...

There are a few orchids that are tricky to pollinate. Particularly Acronia spp. (formerly Pleurothallis). Or even the tiny flowered species such as the micro-miniature Pleurothallids and Dendrochilum spp.

Pollinating some of the terrestrial orchids are not the same as the epiphytical ones. So you gotta find out how that's done if you want to pollinate these.