I just discovered a seed capsule, now what?

[Junebug]

My Myrmecophelia thomsoniana has been in bloom for the last several weeks. Her oldest blooms are in the process of drying and dropping but there are still some opened blooms and unopened buds. The tip of her spikes are over 8 feet in the air so I need to stand on a chair to see what's going on with her blooms. Today, from ground level, I could see that she still had unopened buds and when I climbed up for a closer look I noticed a developing seed capsule. I suspect the ever present ants and wasps had something to do with the pollination process and I suppose this could result in a hybrid, because there is a potinara and a myrmetonia blooming near by.

I've been reading other posts about capsules and seed pods and it looks like it could take months for the capsule to mature. I'm assuming that the spike is to remain undisturbed during the waiting period.? Does a plant typically slow down or cease growth production as the capsule matures? Should the plant be treated any differently?

I guess there's no guarantee that pollination will result in seed production, but I'm facinated with the prospect. There is so much I need to learn.

[trdyl]

Cool!

If it is like any other orchid, it should not slow down normal growth as log as the plant is healthy. Just keep on treating it as you normally do and it should be fine.

[natasha]

i did pollinate an orchid sometime ago for fun. it does take a really long time! and you really can't do much except wait and put those itchy hands somewhere else.
now i am expecting seed pods from my arundina (natural pollination) and sphatoglottis (bought already like that)... i just plan to scatter the seed underneath the mother plant since i don't have the space to raise seedlings. just leave it to fate i guess!

[Royal]

Originally Posted by Junebug

I've been reading other posts about capsules and seed pods and it looks like it could take months for the capsule to mature. I'm assuming that the spike is to remain undisturbed during the waiting period.? Does a plant typically slow down or cease growth production as the capsule matures? Should the plant be treated any differently?

I guess there's no guarantee that pollination will result in seed production, but I'm facinated with the prospect. There is so much I need to learn.

How exciting! Congrats.

The whole spike will remain green while the capsule develops. Sometimes the tip of the spike above the capsule will brown up a bit that's ok. If it's happy where it is, just leave it. No special treatment is necessary, and one little capsule on a big old Mcp. shouldn't slow it down much if any.

I'd bet it's a self pollination, and if so, I'd also bet you'll get plenty of seed.