Jewel Orchid Pollen Collection and Pollination

[kerokero]

It's that time of year again, and my first jewel orchid in the collection is sending up a spike! I'd love to self it, and possibly save some pollen to cross with some of my other plants as they flower (species and hybrids including cross genera). My issue is that these flowers are so complex that I can never figure out where everything is, and don't know when I should be pulling pollen, and pollinating. I don't want to go ripping the flowers apart without some guidance on what I should be looking for. Help!

[Tindomul]

What species do you have?
By the way, have not seen you for some time. Welcome back.
I tried to pollinate my Ludisia discolor, but non of it took. As far as what goes where, for this species, under the petals you would find the column which holds the pollen sacks and the stigmatic surface. At least I hope. I'm not familiar with the biology of this species really but I assume it has a stigmatic surface.

[Royal]

I pollinated my Ludisia discolor a couple of years ago. Use a fresh flower that has fully opened.

The stigma is where you would expect it to be. The only odd part is that instead of pulling at the "anther cap tab" or viscidium, you need to push the viscidium in towards the flower. Be careful not to loose it, the pollinia is spring-loaded and will literally pop out with surprising force.

If it takes, the seed develops quickly. It only takes a month or two for the capsule to split. Interestingly, the capsule doesn't turn green but remains a translucent white allowing you to see the seed darken inside as they mature.

[kerokero]

Thanks for the WB I tend to come and go on here since I only work with the jewels, and haven't had the time lately to mess with them. But I'm determined this year to get some seeds (especially since I know how to tissue culture and have some wonderful Bletilla babies growing from fresh seed) this year from these wonders.

First up to bloom is Macodes sanderiana. I'm hoping to self this as well as save some for crosses later with others I have if they flower. How would one store pollen for later? In Gesneriads you can save it on dry parchment paper in a plastic bag and refrigerate for a period of time.

I've got a couple varieties of Ludisia, and a couple other oddballs but I've lost some of my better plants that I was hoping to cross and/or self this year

My issues is all the guides telling me what is what on an orchid flower are showing orchids very different from jewels, so I'm still trying to figure out what is what Thanks for the note on pushing rather than pushing Royal!

[Royal]

Originally Posted by kerokero

How would one store pollen for later? In Gesneriads you can save it on dry parchment paper in a plastic bag and refrigerate for a period of time.

I used to fold them into a little square cut from a paper towel. Now, following some advice I got from a member here I just use a sticky note. It's easy to write on and folds up neatly.

If you store them in anything airtight (baggie or jar), use a mild desiccant like uncooked rice. Refrigerating them may be overkill, but I doubt it would hurt most pollen from Jewels. Cool, dry, and dark should do the trick.