pollinating orchids - Orchid Board

orchidjd · #1 08-10-2010, 09:40 PM

hey everyone.

Latly i have been reading about pollinating orchids and was interesting in trying this myself. I have a Hybrid white phaleanopsis that the flowers are falling now. My question is, am i still able to do it? Can pollination occur if i take the pollen out of bloom A and put it on bloom B of the same orchid? or does it have to be different types of orchids.

thanks

Ray · #2 08-11-2010, 08:31 AM

Placing the pollen from a plant on one of its own flowers is commonly known as "selfing" and is done often.

However, if you're losing the blossoms, you're way to late, as many flowers should be pollinated within a few days of them opening for the best results,

Before you tackle this, have you thought about what follows? After waiting several months for the capsule to ripen, you'll have to figure out how to sow the seed on nutrient-rich agar in sterile conditions, maintain them at proper temperature and light conditions until they germinate and grow, then transplant them into another medium, again in sterile conditions. Or pay a lab to do so. Under ideal conditions and preparation, it can be a few years from pollination to blooming, but much longer for most of us.

marydaniellesantos · #3 08-11-2010, 08:39 AM

It's better to pollinate when the flowers have just opened, or so I'm told. Also that hybrids don't self pollinate well. I tried this, and the flowers just dropped off, but you could give it a try!!! You might be able to get it!

p.s. What do you plan on doing with the seed???

orchidjd · #4 08-11-2010, 02:07 PM

thanks for the info guys.
i was planning on getting the seeds so i can have another orchid =). is this an expensive thing to do? or is it much more worth it to just buy another orchid.

after a capsule is formed do u have to flask it.

marydaniellesantos · #5 08-11-2010, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchidjd

thanks for the info guys.
i was planning on getting the seeds so i can have another orchid =). is this an expensive thing to do? or is it much more worth it to just buy another orchid.

after a capsule is formed do u have to flask it.

If you don't know how to flask, it would be expensive, but as I do flasking, you can send me the seeds and I will do this for you. Only if I can keep a flask or two. Each one will have from 10-30 seedlings in it, I usually get 4-5 flasks out of a pod. Let me know! I'm always looking for seed!

orchidjd · #6 08-11-2010, 02:52 PM

that would be cool mary! should i try and self pollinate my orchid now even though they are starting to fall? would it work?

p.s: I was looking at ur username and saw Santos at the end, are u brazilian too?=)

marydaniellesantos · #7 08-11-2010, 03:03 PM

Philippino/Native American. Lol. You could try, but I wouldn't expect much. PM me if you want.

Mikeg · #8 08-11-2010, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marydaniellesantos

If you don't know how to flask, it would be expensive, but as I do flasking, you can send me the seeds and I will do this for you. Only if I can keep a flask or two. Each one will have from 10-30 seedlings in it, I usually get 4-5 flasks out of a pod. Let me know! I'm always looking for seed!

Hahahaha Is that your way of business? lol