Z Advance Australia Cross - Page 2 - Orchid Board

orchidsarefun · #11 12-12-2014, 04:24 PM

don't give up.
As a reference I have had 12 fail this year alone. The most disappointing was a Phal Samera at just over 3 months. Most of the others I sort of knew would fail but keep trying anyway. About 2 years ago I found an article by respected breeders that said the phases of the moon have an impact on successful pollination. I posted it and was immediately flamed because it wasn't 'scientific' and thus hogwash. However I have used this guideline loosely and love to experiment with pollination days just to see for myself. If you are interested I am sure the thread is out there somewhere.

lotis146 · #12 12-12-2014, 04:33 PM

Trust me, I won't give up! Although I will admit that I've not been of the mind to necessarily retry crosses but then again I've got some yellow Phals that I may be willing to (assuming I don't continue to neglect them). Funny thing I've found 3 Phals already that start keikis once I've neglected/under-watered for several months...

Well it's not like experimenting with moon phases would hurt anything! Heck it'd make for an entertaining experiment. Besides it's not like we don't already know that the moon does have its influences, especially if your "to be pollinated" plants are in front of a window.

I'll look around.

12 fails, I think including multiple attempts of same cross, reciprocal on both parents I'm probably in the same boat. I learned quickly this is probably the norm. Do you have anymore or less success depending on the "age of flower" at pollination? I know in the wild the plant's going to take what it can get, but alas this ain't the wild! And I always like to enjoy the blooms as long as I can. Then there's the case of flowers going out as others are coming in, surely then you gotta just get what you can.

Any rules you live by?

orchidsarefun · #13 12-12-2014, 04:39 PM

with zygos and zygonisia it seemed the age of the flowers wasn't that critical. Nor with my mini-catt cernua. However I tend to believe with phals the recipient flower should have a sticky ovary - around 3 days, and the donor's pollen can be older but not discoloured.

another thing - just be aware that if you do decide to have them flasked, you are going to eventually need space for the seedlings. I am onto 2 plant racks and hope to get rid of seedlings at our Orchid Show in Feb to make space for incoming. Heck - I may even sell on e-bay.

lotis146 · #14 12-13-2014, 12:51 PM

Thanks for that info!! And yes I am aware. That's the only real positive point for me that they take so long to reach the seedling stage: time to get the area together. We'll be finishing the basement so I plan to have a small grow room.

So you do not plan to bloom out your seedlings? 3-4 years is a long time...we'll be different people by then (God willing we're still around,

). In that case I would be happy to pick up one of your seedlings!

orchidsarefun · #15 02-14-2015, 08:45 AM

update.....not as vigorous as my Adelaide Meadows cross seedlings, but doing well. 1 or 2 have developed pseudobulbs. These were also deflasked on 12 August 2014, so at the 6 month stage. As there is NO data on the internet on how large these are supposed to be at this age, I have no standard to compare to.
No streaking of foliage - important as 1 parent does get this streaking/spotting. Introduction of a genetic resistance to this 'curse' is a priority of mine. Advance Australia is also a much smaller-sized zygo with very scented blooms.

other notes
- seedlings in pots without tags
- in individual pots as even at this age have an extensive root system. A compot situation would cause a major issue in untangling roots when repotting.
- seedlings seem to prefer trays, which are perfect if plants are spaced further apart. Will use this method on future flasks.

orchidsarefun · #16 04-04-2015, 10:27 AM

a lot of progress.....a lot larger and, more importantly, NO streaking of foliage. For those of you who grow zygos, you know what I mean. Its great looking at healthy, green foliage.

lotis146 · #17 04-06-2015, 01:05 PM

Excellent! Hopefully they remain resilient against the spotting/streaking. I'm anxious about this summer to see what happens when I put so many of my Zygo hybrids outside where they will be in higher humidity and get rained on.

Has anything changed in your care for these or are they experience a growth spurt?

orchidsarefun · #18 04-06-2015, 02:35 PM

I am noticing that I have to water all the seedlings under lights more often. Could be that they are all responding to the seasonal change even though under lights. More roots equals more growth equals more water required. Water often gets on the leaves as it can't be helped.
BTW - most of my zygo triste seedlings have got the streaking/rot issue and this occurred once the weather warmed up ( externally ), with no wet foliage. I am not sure what causes it but I am fairly sure that if it happens you can just remove all the affected foliage and the plant will still be OK.

Leafmite · #19 04-06-2015, 03:20 PM

I look forward to the results.

lotis146 · #20 04-06-2015, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

I am noticing that I have to water all the seedlings under lights more often. Could be that they are all responding to the seasonal change even though under lights. More roots equals more growth equals more water required. Water often gets on the leaves as it can't be helped.
BTW - most of my zygo triste seedlings have got the streaking/rot issue and this occurred once the weather warmed up ( externally ), with no wet foliage. I am not sure what causes it but I am fairly sure that if it happens you can just remove all the affected foliage and the plant will still be OK.

I have one of your triste seedlings. Got it from the Batavia show. It's a nice plant, one mature little pbulb, four immature growths, a new growth bout a half inch when I got it. Now there's another new growth popping up. That I got it with the main growth with lots of streaking, expected, so far none of the others have it (yet). That said I thought maybe it got burned in the afternoon light (south window but over winter hasn't been a problem for Zglm or Paph to name a few, though now spring here I know sun is getting hotter...). It had a dark brown spot that spread to the top third of the leaf but doesn't appear to be continuing to spread. Meanwhile, just today I noticed one of the immature growths is starting something very similar near the end of the leaf. Possible again a burn (I moved back from the light but not totally out, and forgot one day) but I'm worrying it may be something else. Don't mean to hijack the thread here BUT since you brought up the tristes...does this sound like what you're seeing with them?

I wonder if your others are simply happier b/c they're getting more consistent moisture as you see and think they're requiring it. Interesting that they've grown more even as they're indoors. I've also certainly seen increased growth since the weather has improved, although all of mine are windowsill plants thus all get sunlight.