Newbie question: How to flask vanda pod? Please help!

[chaotic3.14]

First of all, I'm new.

I've never had to do research on an orchid issue before, but I'm so glad I found this board!

Ok, so here's the deal: We have 2 vandas, an orange & a pink one. This year, the orange one got a nice green seed pod. So we've cut the stem, since it's done blooming & the stem's drying out & I'd like to flask it.

The issue is I've never done this before. I have no idea what to do with it or where to start & I'd hate to let the opportunity for a beautiful hybrid slip through my hands.

The pod is a healthy green with the remnants of it's petals on the top dried & dying back. I am hoping that somebody here could help me get started in the right direction.

When I started looking into flasking procedure I was overwhelmed by all the info out there, but there isn't much I could find that is specific to flasking vandas.

Thank you for reading!
Courtney

[bonsai1504]

could you post a picture of the pod?

[chaotic3.14]

I can do that, give me a few minutes

[chaotic3.14]

Ok, here it is.

[bonsai1504]

you can get a commercial flasking service to do it for you. the seed needs to be sown in sterile conditions in order to germinate. if you would like to do it yourself go to the website
OrchidSource Orchid Seed Sowing Manual
for clear directions on how to flask. once you have the sterile flasks sown it is pretty straight forward.

[gixrj18]

That seed may not be mature if you cut it after blooming, some seeds take months to mature.Most take at least 2-3 months. When there is a pod, you don't cut the spike until the seeds are mature....the death of the blooms is irrelevant in this case.

[kavanaru]

I agree with Jasen, that pod does not seem to be mature. I do not think is worth to try flasking the seeds.

[chaotic3.14]

Ok, so you're saying there's no chance of getting a successful flask? The stem is in water on a windowsill now, most of the stem is brown and dried out except for a small strip on the side where the pod is. I kind of realized that I should've kept it attached when I saw the strip of living tissue on the stem...oh well, I guess I know what to do if it happens again. Thanks!

[dgenovese1]

Hi Courtney,
I realize I'm late at getting to this thread, but I thought I'd let you know that most vandaceous hybridizers wait for their seed pods to mature for 6 months before picking them to flask. Here is a general rule:
Vanda, Ascocentrum and Ascocenda 5 to 7 months
Rhynchostylis, Renanthera, Arachnis 5 to 8 months
Many times a Vanda pod will turn slightly yellow within a few months, but this is normal and the pod still needs to mature for 6 months before picking. If the pod turns yellow and brown, or just brown within the first 4 months or so, it is usually because there is not enough viable embryonic tissue growing inside. At this stage the pod will probably split and fall off the plant.
It can be frustrating sometimes (I've lost many more pods than have matured), but if you're really interested in hybridizing Vandas, just keep trying. Eventually you'll have a keeper, and then the excitement really mounts.

[chaotic3.14]

Thanks for the info! I'm hoping I'll see another one soon! I'll post again if I get any more pods growing... Thanks again!