Help with Catt seed pod sowing - Orchid Board

beezer34 · #1 04-08-2009, 07:16 PM

I've recently discovered a seed pod (thanks to Camille!) on my Lc. Gold Digger "Fuch's Mandarin" (Lc.Red Gold X C. Warpaint) - pic attached.
The plant finished blooming in October, but I have just now noticed the pod.
From the pix attached is there any way to tell how close to maturation the pod is, and any advice on how to sow from a green pod would be very welcome!
Also - I've read mixed reports on supplemental feedings of the mother plant... opinions on this would be welcome as well.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 04-08-2009, 10:41 PM

I've sent my seeds to orchid seed sowing labs before so that's definitely an option.

As for doing it yourself, I can't help you.

But I will say your plant doesn't need any extra care other than what you're doing to get it growing well.

BTW depending on which alliance or even species of orchid you have, seed pods have different times of maturation. Some take close to a year, (i.e. Phalaenopsis). Others mature after a month or three (Den. kingianum is approx. 3 months). Fortunately for you there is information out there about the seed pod maturation time of orchids from the Cattleya alliance.

Royal · #3 05-04-2009, 04:14 PM

Hey breezer,

It's hard to tell, but it looks a bit thin still. Normally, my Cat seed caps plump up like they're pregnant. My advise would be to let it go until it splits. Then take the capsule inside and snip the tip off, and store it in a coffee filter. After two weeks you can just pull the dried capsule out and tap out the loose seed.

You can store dry seed in a cool, dark place for a long time. You can also send small amounts to different labs, friends, or try small bits at a time yourself without ruining the whole batch.

s1214215 · #4 05-04-2009, 04:25 PM

Hi Royal

Here are some links that may help you. You could try the Lotte method over steam as a first attempt, unless you want to make a glove box to flask in.

Lotte & Thomas Orchids

HOME ORCHID FLASKING

Home Orchid Flasking

Pod times -
ORCHID SEED

Royal · #5 05-04-2009, 06:15 PM

Thanks s12, but I was just responding to beezer34's question (this is her thread).

Those pod ripening times may get you close, but a complex hybrid is unpredictable at best. This is why I suggested that she wait until it splits and harvest dry seed.

Oh, and I use a glovebox. Tried the steam method and got contamination every time. In the glovebox I've got contamination down below 10%.

s1214215 · #6 05-04-2009, 10:43 PM

Doh!!! Thats what I get for replying to a thread at 2am when I wake up and cant get back to sleep...

Oh, well.. Still, hopefully the links are of some use Breezer..

I should have read more carefully Royal

Ok, scratch the steam method. Never used that myself. I am currently waiting to see how I went flasking my plants and seed. Fingers crossed.

Brett

Royal · #7 05-05-2009, 10:49 AM

Hey Brett,

Those are some good links, and the capsule ripening chart will give breezer a good idea of what to expect.

The "steam method" may work for some, just not for me. I am a firm believer of finding what works for you and just do it, no matter what conventional wisdom dictates. Obviously, it works for some people or there wouldn't be a website dedicated to it. I'm still learning too, so maybe I missed something. Might be worth another try.

Good luck with yours. How did you sow them?

s1214215 · #8 05-05-2009, 12:04 PM

Hi Royal

I used the glove box, sterilised the media in a pressure cooker and let it sit 5 days.

Wiped the glove box out with bleach and place everything in it. After putting gloved hands in, I wiped everything except the interior of the box with a double strength mix of Dettol and water. I then sprayed the air heavily with the same mix from a misting bottle to try get any remaining particles in the air.

The seed was dry so I sterilised with 3% hydrogen peroxide. I did not use anything else as I was worried the seed would be fragile being Lepanthes and sooooo small. I used the method from Western Orchids and emptied seed still in the sterilising mix (Hydrogen peroxide) onto the agar. It breaks down to water and oxygen rapidly anyway. I sealed the jar and gently swirled the jar to spread the seed around on the agar, but not so much as to put it up the wall. I then sealed around the lid with tape.

I think that is about it. Hope this is of some help.

So far all is good with the seed I did that day and the Lepanthes plants. Sadly, my phalaenopsis got a contamination that showed the next morning - less than 15 hours. So I carefully took them out trying to avoid the contaminant, washed in sterile water and reflesked in fresh media. Fingers crossed the nasties dont come with them, but I wont hold my breath. I'd say they are for potting up.

As for pod time, I have been told watch the stem to the pod for colour change. When it turns yellow, the seed is mature in pod and can be picked. Be careful though not to let it yellow so much the pod bursts before you expect though. I did this with my Spathoglottis (Pod parent) x Phaius (pollen parent) and it popped while I was at work one day - I thought I had a week to go.. I wont make the same mistake with the Spatho x Gramatophyllum which to my surprise is half mature. Hope the seed is viable.

I hope this is of some help

Brett