Is it possible to germinate Phalaenopsis seeds from dead, immature pods?

[Vivian Tristesse]

Hello!

The contextual information preceding my question:

I'm new to the forums, and it's a pity I didn't join sooner (I've read many posts over the last year). I've recently had a bit of bad luck with my small collection of big box store orchids, and most of them are dead, or declining quickly. I am not in a position to save them, and have decided to never buy an orchid again, until I can move out of the house of my herbicidal mother.

Despite these most unfortunate circumstances, in early August of 2012, I pollinated a Phalaenopsis which was doing quite well until recently. About two months ago, it started to die, because I did not water it. There were two pods, one a little smaller than the other. The smaller of the two pods turned brown and shriveled up first. The second of the two pods remained green and plump, and had been red-tinted for quite some time. After the leaves shriveled up, the healthy pod turned brown and shriveled up as well. Neither pod opened: they were both immature and died before they had a chance to mature.

My question:

Because it is very likely that a few ovules were, indeed, fertilised, I wonder if there will be enough viable embryos for a flasker to flask? I will upload photos later if I can find a camera.

Other information:

I understand that I am an evil person for killing my orchids, but you do not live with my mother, and therefore cannot understand my circumstances enough to not judge me: I am deeply sorry for killing my orchids, and will not be so irresponsible in the future.

If I do derive several Phalaenopsis seedlings from flasking, I intend to give them away. I really do love plants (or at least I used to), and one day hope to return to the hobby as soon as I have a home of my own.

[escualida]

I don't have an answer to your question, but I just wanted to say that I don't think you're an evil person for killing your orchids, we've all done it so I don't think there's any judgement here.

[Ray]

I think it is unlikely that you'll recover any viable seed.

I have many times seen capsule mature "to term" and still have no viable seed. Had yours had viable seed, the capsule would have begun to dehisce, and as that did not happen...

[Vivian Tristesse]

Thank you for your replies! I might disect them and use a light microscope to look at the internal structure- that's an opportunity which rarely presents itself.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

If you're looking at the seeds under the microscope, try looking for embryos within the testa (aka seed coat). The embryos are also covered by another coat called the carapace.

Just because the seeds have what appears to be an embryo does not necessarily mean they're alive.

[Ashley9]

Your Phal actually may not be fully dead...most folk decide to throw away an orchid thinking they are dead when they are actually not... try watering 3 ice cubes a week... repotting in the right medium if it needs it...but don throw away!! Try the watering and some indirect sunlight... or send them to me. good luck

[orchidsarefun]

the pods seem to be mature enough - from Aug 2012 to March 2013 ? You could send them to OrchidOrigins and Shane will only flask them if there is healthy seed. You should call him and discuss....