Hybridising - Courtesy of Lenette Orchids

[orchidsarefun]

Originally Posted by ovanoshio

Science has explained nothing; the more we know the more fantastic the world becomes and the profounder the surrounding darkness.
- Aldous Huxley

I'm with Aldous Huxley !

[Ryan.Walsh]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Actually, science dictates that the burden of proof for any claims be up to those making the claims. Therfore, its not scientifically accurate to make a statement that the moon phase has an effect on the seeds until it is proven to be so. Otherwise, its just a hypothesis.

Thank you. There have been a few studies that have addressed this, mainly from the 70's. Every single one has either been inconclusive or has been thoroughly refuted due to lack of sufficient controls.

Look, I'm not trying to pick on anyone, nor am I saying everyone should be a scientist. This is a straw man argument if I've ever seen one. I am simply stating that there is no scientific evidence to back this claim. If you are able to produce some, please by all means do. If I hurt anyone's feelings by making this statement I sincerely apologize.

It was obviously a mistake for me to post here and I won't bother in the future.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Ryan.Walsh

There have been a few studies that have addressed this, mainly from the 70's. Every single one has either been inconclusive or has been thoroughly refuted due to lack of sufficient controls.

Then it appears that the moon hypothesis has been rendered invalid and we can strike that from the list of things that to worry about when flasking.

Originally Posted by Ryan.Walsh

It was obviously a mistake for me to post here and I won't bother in the future.

Don't leave! As you can see in this post, we DEFINITELY need more trained scientists here on the OB. I would much rather be told that a certain peice of advice is not useful than have every peice of advice posted and assume it to be valid. I (and many others) appreciate your comments and I really hope you will post more often.

[orchidsarefun]

The comment that seems to have caused the most controversy is this one :

3. Check the moon phase when possible. Cattleyas will definitely give more seed when pollinated on the full of the moon. Many hybridizers swear about making crosses on certain moon phases. After all, if the moon can control the tides surely it has some influence on the growth of the pollen.

Thinking about this and despite what has been said I don't think that Science can either prove or disprove this recommendation. There are too many other variables co-dependent that impact seed production/fertilisation - its not just this one.
If I am wrong, please prove it...

[orchidsarefun]

I realised I have my own data that is relevant
I looked at all my germinations for 2012. Only C and Zns have yet to be successfully flasked and it is thus possible that germination won't occur.
Date is pollination date.

Moon Phase - Waxing Gibbous
3/5/12 Phal
4/4/12 Phal
5/1/12 Phal
12/25/12 Z

Moon Phase - Waxing Crescent
8/23/12 Zns

Moon Phase - New Moon
2/22/12 Phal
10/15/12 C

So based on my own experience, and yes limited data, it certainly seems that the moon phases have some sort of an impact....and thinking about it, maybe I will put on a wizard's hat and use this PERSONAL EXPERIENCE as a future guideline. Who would have thought ? BTW I used this site
Moon Phases Calendar / Moon Schedule

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

Thinking about this and despite what has been said I don't think that Science can either prove or disprove this recommendation. There are too many other variables co-dependent that impact seed production/fertilisation - its not just this one.
If I am wrong, please prove it...

This would actually be a very simple experiment where a large number of orchids (same species, same age, same growth conditions, etc.) were pollinated on several different moon phases. Then you would weigh and/or count the number of seeds set. I don't really know how it could get any more straight forward.

[zxyqu]

I believe the statement was increased seed during moon phases. As to the comment it can't be proven, that is true. Science doesn't prove things, our jobs as scientists is to disprove hypotheses. As such I think it would be fairly easy to prove or disprove that statement, at least for my personal growing conditions. If only I liked cattleya... But I will say if I ever had them and a lot of the same cross treated the same way, but pollinated at various moon phases, you could easily harvest the seed pod and count the viable seeds. If the statement is correct, full moon = more seed (not more germination), if not full moon is not related to seed count. Tahdah, there is your experiment to disprove a hypothesis, at least in whosever growing conditions it is done in.

Overall though, as a Phal hybridized, all three links are useful to some degree. There is always some unscientific thought based on the firsthand experience I others, and if true, as Ray said, we just likely don't know the science behind it yet. If true that is.

[zxyqu]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

you said " I have no idea why the community is so anti-science "
I say
" I have no idea why scientists come across as smug, arrogant and fond of hyperbole"

Really ?

Also, this comment does not belong anywhere, and I'm surprised a redaction or apology hasn't been issued.

[zxyqu]

Dang you beat me to it Isurus.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by zxyqu

Also, this comment does not belong anywhere, and I'm surprised a redaction or apology hasn't been issued.

Agreed.

---------- Post added at 05:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:15 PM ----------

Originally Posted by zxyqu

Dang you beat me to it Isurus.

lol Great minds think alike!