The Tale of Two Pods...

[lotis146]

About four months ago I pollinated flowers on my Zygolum Louisendorff, well four months and 13 days now. The plant I bought as it turns out was actually two in one and one of them was 'semi' peloric. For those who don't know this plant (cross) has actually been registered twice (if not more) also under the name Zygolum Rhein 'Moonlight', another plant I have. I got Louisendorff b/c it had 'normal' blooms whereas my Rhein 'Moonlight' is peloric, which I really really like. However the second 'semi' peloric Louisendorff is not nearly as big in terms of flowers or peloric.

Anywho, I did the same cross with both plants, they both formed pods/capsules. But right away I noticed the pod on the semi-peloric plant (remember both in the same pot in promix type medium both also growing new growths following their blooms, oh yeah and NO WRINKLING of pbulbs) was significantly wider than the 'normal' Louisendorff. They continued to develop this way with one being 'squaty' and slightly lighter in color while the other was longer and thinner. As a side note, I've pollinated my Rhein 'Moonlight' as well (remember peloric) and it too had a wider, squatier pod.

Last week I noticed that the entire pod on the semi-peloric plant was starting to turn yellow, so I kept an eye on it. Meanwhile the other one remained very green. Then a couple days ago I inspected the pod again and found a small 'fissure' on the underside of the pod, so I cut it off and wrapped it in a coffee filter. The following day I sent it off to the lab. It also appears that the spike itself is yellowing some... This semi-peloric plant, as I'm calling it, initially started two new growths this spring but then only one of them continued to develop. Also, neither of the two new growths that did develop had produced a spike and in my experience with Zygo hybrids thus far they tend to grow spikes early on in the development of the new growth, often before the leaves have even been distinguished. It seems safe to say then that these growths will not bloom. This of course makes me want to know how to make them happier so they have the energy to produce pods AND grow new growths that subsequently bloom. Nonetheless, the plants continue to do well and the second pod is still green and happy.

This first picture is from the non-peloric plant:




...and this is from the semi-peloric:

[Leafmite]

Good luck with your cross!
I have not tried this so no idea but I do buy quite a few seedling orchids that are crosses. It is rather fun when that first bloom comes and you see what you have. I hope you get some really great results!

[lotis146]

Yes it is fun although I'm still new enough to not have completed this process, as in got the flask back and raised the seedlings. Luckily orchids do take a while to germinate and grow so I have time to prepare a grow space before any flasks arrive assuming the seeds germinate. I'm very curious to see if both of these pods develop and what differences may occur between them.

[Leafmite]

There are plenty of people who can give you advice on this. Most people have their own technique which works for them. The best thing to do is to ask advice from a local vendor who buys flasks or does their own flasking. They can usually show you their set up and offer advice about that first medium (which will yield better results if it is sterilized).

[lotis146]

Well the lab received the pod and had a look at the seeds. Apparently there are no viable seeds. They weren't so surprised as I guess it's common for there to be fertility issues when working with Zygo intergenerics...bummer, maybe the second one will turn out better.