Wish me luck, I just crossed polinated two Phals - SEED POD UPDATE

[camille1585]

That's really too bad about losing the pod after so long! I can't remember where I read it, nor if this is accurate info, but apparently Phal Mini Mark is not a very good orchid to cross, and many attempted crosses either don't take or give bad seed. That would explain why there are so few registered crosses maybe? Orchidwiz lists only 4 Mini Mark crosses. Strange, for such a popular orchid!

I hope your next attempt works out better.

[gixrj18]

Oh well, look on the bright side.....since the pod actually started to swell, you know you at least got the pollination process down-packed! Good luck on round two.

[10010100102]

Good point!! Both parent plants are in similar stages of bud development, so heck, I'll try again!!

Best of luck with the next cross, Tindo! By the way, I read in some book or other (Understanding Orchids, I think, but I can't quite remember...) a little while back that sometimes proteins in the pollen can prevent a cross from taking. After that, it said that a really easy way to destroy the proteins is to soak the pollen in spit, and not to wipe it off before pollinating. Apparently some people try that when they're having trouble getting a cross to take... Gross, I know, but I don't imagine the Phals'll care much. Anyways, that's something you might want to try.

Again, ! Keep us posted!

[Tindomul]

MMMMMMMmmmmmmm, must be that our spit dissolves the starchy goodness protecting the pollen. I have heard that before and will definitely try that.

[shadytrake]

Do you have an update on your project? Inquiring minds would like to know.

[Tindomul]

Nothing happened. The two have not bloomed again at the same time. So I am still waiting to do another cross pollination.