cross-pollinate

[doobs]

I am very new to orchids and would like to know if it possible to pollinate a phalaenopsis with the pollen from a paphiopedilum? Or must the two plants be from the same genus for pollination to be successful? Thanks in advance.

[Royal]

Orchids are weird in that they can be fertile across genus lines, but they need to be closely related genetically. Plants in the same alliance can readily interbreed but Phals and Paphs are too different.

[doobs]

ah, that makes sense. Do you have any examples of other orchid genera that can be pollinated in such a manner? Thanks!

[Royal]

Vandopsis = Vanda x Phalaenopsis
Doritaenopsis = Doritis x Phal
Catcyclia = Cattleya x Encyclia
Laeliocattleya = Laelia x Cattleya
Brassocattleya = Brassavola x Cat
Sophrocattleya = Sophronitis x Cat
Sophrolaeliocattleya = S. x L. x C.
Brassolaeliocattleya = B x L. x C.


Yeah, Cattleya breeds readily with a lot of other genera. It gets sticky when you have multiple genera involved. Up to 8 have been used in one cross! Usually they use artificial genus names like Potinara, Iwangara, and Rolfeara. I'm not too learned on that subject as I tend to stick to less primary hybrids and species.