Stigma Turning Brown?

[Becca]

Hi All! I have a quick question, I have a seed pod growing on one of my orchids that I crossed, really just messing around, don't even know if the seed will be viable (crossed an Iwanagara with a Potinara). Anyways....the pod is swelling and has a nice color, the flower petals have dried up and fallen off from around the stigma, but now I am seeing the stigma starting to turn brown starting at the tip. Is this normal or am I going to loose the pod?

[newflasker]

The pod could be mature (dry) or dead depends on how long you have it.

[Becca]

I pollinated it the last week of May, so it has been about a month. The seep pod still looks a good color and no signs of any other part turning brown, including the spike the flower was on. Everything else is still green.

[Royal]

I'd worry if the pod turns brown. But if it is just the flower parts, it's probably fine. There's no need to sustain any flower parts, so it'll dry up. If the brown creeps into the fleshy tissue of the pod, you may have a problem.

[newflasker]

I have few pods drop within a month. So you are almost safe. As long as your pod is still green you're OK. Cross your finger. Good luck. Cheers

[Becca]

Originally Posted by RoyalOrchids

I'd worry if the pod turns brown. But if it is just the flower parts, it's probably fine. There's no need to sustain any flower parts, so it'll dry up. If the brown creeps into the fleshy tissue of the pod, you may have a problem.

Is there anything I can do to help prevent the brown from creeping down to the flower pod? Would trimming stigma off be a bad thing? Good thing I have two of these pods going of the same cross, one on each of the parents.

[Royal]

Originally Posted by Becca

Is there anything I can do to help prevent the brown from creeping down to the flower pod? Would trimming stigma off be a bad thing? Good thing I have two of these pods going of the same cross, one on each of the parents.

I'd avoid cutting anything off except the petals and sepals. I'm really not well versed in the physiology of fertilization, and I wouldn't want to lead you astray. It may still be playing a role in fertilization, even if it's just where the pollen tubes originate. It may not be a problem, but the stigma is structurally reproductive which is why I would avoid cutting it.

Let's see what others with a little more experience say, you have me curious now.

[vmax3000]

Originally Posted by Becca

I pollinated it the last week of May, so it has been about a month. The seep pod still looks a good color and no signs of any other part turning brown, including the spike the flower was on. Everything else is still green.

Hi guys,
May be getting myself in trouble here, but ...here goes. The ants I battle ceaselessly in my GH pollinated a B. nodosa. I think it's a selfing. The pod took almost 7 months to mature. The flower did turn brown and die. It only recently fell of the pod. The pod dehisced while I was in Oklahoma attending to a family member's effects. The pod stayed green and just kept swelling over time. I do have to cast my vote with Royal in that cutting the pod would be not the best plan, if it has begun to rot. It is sterile within, which is why we have to work so hard to plate/care for the little protocorms! Hopefully, it's just the flower right at it's joint on the ovary. Keep an eye on it!

[Royal]

So, Vanessa -- whatcha plannin' on doin' with the seed?

[Becca]

Well I will just leave it as is, but I will take a picture if I get a chance this evening.