Seed Pod Maturity Times (Green Pod Technique)

[Dorchid]

For those who have experience with seed pod husbandry, what kind of maturation times are you seeing for capsules to be ready for the "green pod" technique? Sounds like the times listed in the AOS spreadsheet found here: Harvesting Times of Orchid Seed Capsules for the Green Pod Culture Process, are on the extreme low end. In addition to being curious myself, it might be a good addition to the site to compile a list of species/hybrids that users have successfully propagated via this technique and how long it takes for pods to reach suitable maturity.

[Ray]

"Green pod" (they're actually "capsules" in orchids, not pods) merely means "unopened".

I have done a limited amount of breeding, but I find that the published guidelines are reasonable points to start observing them closely and frequently. Then, when you see either end start to yellow, that's when to harvest it.

[Dorchid]

Fair enough! I guess between Barry Gardner's sheet in the sticky post and the AOS sheet, one can get a pretty good idea as they seem to be on the long and short ends. I'd still like to hear what people have experienced.

[Fairorchids]

For standard Paphs (not multi-florals) 10 months. This came from Glen Decker (formerly Piping Rock Orchids), and worked well for me.

For Neofinetia falcata, 110 days is probably good.

Cymbidiums tend to run 8-10 months.

Vandaceous vary a lot, depending upon which species are in the background.

[Dorchid]

Great info; Thanks, Kim!

[JScott]

Harvesting Times of Orchid Seed Capsules for the Green Pod Culture Process

There's the AOS article which includes a chart with approximate maturity times for harvesting green capsules.

[Fairorchids]

Originally Posted by JScott

Harvesting Times of Orchid Seed Capsules for the Green Pod Culture Process

There's the AOS article which includes a chart with approximate maturity times for harvesting green capsules.

Most of those dates are way too short.

[Dorchid]

Originally Posted by JScott

Harvesting Times of Orchid Seed Capsules for the Green Pod Culture Process

There's the AOS article which includes a chart with approximate maturity times for harvesting green capsules.

Yep, that sheet is referenced in the OP. My hope was to get as much feedback as possible on maturation times from users’ observations.

[JScott]

Originally Posted by Fairorchids

Most of those dates are way too short.

How much longer would you recommend to wait beyond the American Orchid Society recommendations?

[Fairorchids]

Originally Posted by JScott

How much longer would you recommend to wait beyond the American Orchid Society recommendations?

It varies by genus (sometimes species). Cattleya times shown are short 2-4 months each.