Crossing phalaenopsis and oncidium

[Hgillins]

I am semi new to orchids, and first time breeding attempts. I took my two orchids and crossed them hoping something takes. One was a phalaenopsis and he other was a oncidium. It has started to form a pod but understand it might not have viable seed. Has anyone tried this, or had other unusual crosses?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Hate to say it, but this kind of a cross will not take. Don't even bother trying. It's the truth, and I'm not going to waste your time by entertaining something that I know won't naturally work.

It's gotta be within the same alliance to work.

Here's the basics:

Sedirea x Phalaenopsis - yes, will work

Oncidium x Odontoglossum - yes, will work

Porroglossum x Masdevallia - yes, will work (now this is an oddball cross if you know anything about the two genera)

Dracula x Masdevallia - yes, will work (this is another odd cross, but Dracuvallias are not terribly popular; and they do exist)



Phalaenopsis x Cattleya - no, will not work

Oncidium x Vanda - no, will not work



Phalaenopsis and Oncidium are too distantly related to be genetically compatible.



If you're looking for an orchid that has Phalaenopsis-like flowers that have good sized pseudobulbs and big arching leaves - that orchid already exists; and it's all natural. That orchid is Neomoorea wallisii.

Here's a link to some basic info on Neomoorea wallisii, along with some photos:

IOSPE PHOTOS

They're really gorgeous plants I think you might really like. Check it out.



If you're looking to genetically modify Phalaenopsis and Oncidium to combine the traits of both plants into one plant, then I don't know how that will work out, or if that's possible.

[Hgillins]

I wasn't even going to attempt in the first place but when I read that they were about the only plant that would cross readly, I figured I would give it a shot. I still might wait and see if something does come from it but not to hope full. In a few day I will try something easier just to get my feet wet, but need the flowers of my other orchid to open first. Thanks for you help.

[ALToronto]

At the most basic level, the numbers of chromosome pairs of the plants you're planning to cross must be the same. Even that won't guarantee a successful cross, but without this condition, nothing will happen.

[Silje]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

If you're looking for an orchid that has Phalaenopsis-like flowers that have good sized pseudobulbs and big arching leaves - that orchid already exists; and it's all natural. That orchid is Neomoorea wallisii.

Here's a link to some basic info on Neomoorea wallisii, along with some photos:

IOSPE PHOTOS

They're really gorgeous plants I think you might really like. Check it out.

Oh that's the one, that's the one, that's the ONE! I've seen one picture of this flower and I think it absolutely amazing! Thank you for giving me the name, finally. Now, the problem is going to get hold of it.

Another question regarding pollination, is there a list or good overview somewhere, where newbies like myself, can check which species and families/alliances that can be cross-pollinated.

Cause I'm confused. Can for instance all plants from the dendrobium genus be pollinated with each other?

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Silje

Oh that's the one, that's the one, that's the ONE! I've seen one picture of this flower and I think it absolutely amazing! Thank you for giving me the name, finally. Now, the problem is going to get hold of it.

Ditto that!

[PaphMadMan]

Originally Posted by Silje

Another question regarding pollination, is there a list or good overview somewhere, where newbies like myself, can check which species and families/alliances that can be cross-pollinated.

Cause I'm confused. Can for instance all plants from the dendrobium genus be pollinated with each other?

All orchids are in the same family, Orchidaceae. Alliances are not always a good guide for which hybrids can be made because they don't always correspond to the same level of relatedness of the genera/species in them. Usually, orchids within the same subtribe are likely to cross with at least some success, more rarely for different subtribes within the same tribe. For any genus you can find the tribe and subtribe in Wikipedia, to list one easily accessible source.

[Bud]

Neomoorea wallisii.
there are 4 plants for sale at 'Orchids By Eli' on Ebay that ends in 28 days. Costs $20 and $9.99 post office shipping within US territories....I dont know if they will ship to Namibia.
Ecuagenera.com also sells this and they are the most likely people to ship to Namibia.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Bud

Neomoorea wallisii.
there are 4 plants for sale at 'Orchids By Eli' on Ebay that ends in 28 days. Costs $20 and $9.99 post office shipping within US territories....I dont know if they will ship to Namibia.
Ecuagenera.com also sells this and they are the most likely people to ship to Namibia.

Enabler!

[wanderingstar]

I tried it with a phal and a wilsonara which is 1/3 oncidium. The wilsonara produced a seedpod. We'll see if it makes it. Doubt the seed would be viable.