You think she's pregnant?

[PaphLover]

I wanted to try my hand at breeding and have a NOID phal that lost its crown leaf in a repotting accident (didn't know it was gone until I put the plant back and saw the leaf in my kitchen sink. I have no idea what happened. )

Despite it being a NOID, I really like the phal. It's scented, has lovely colours, and flowers on multiple branched spikes (papa phal).

The first two pics are of the parents. The mama I picked because I like her beige and burgundy markings. Her flowers appear first as a lime green and burgundy colour then mature into the beige.

The second two pics show what I think is swelling. Also, the colour of the flower has remained quite yellow instead of lightening into the beige. What do you think? Could she be pregnant?



I will also be trying an experiment on the papa plant on creating either a basal or spike keiki with coconut milk/ water or kelp fertilizer (I have no keiki paste). If anyone has had success with creating keikis with this method, please do tell what you have learned!

[No-Pro-mwa]

Good luck. this would be such fun.

[My Green Pets]

Good luck.

I just selfed an Oncidium species a couple weeks ago thinking it would be a sure thing. Nope, the flower just turned yellow and fell off.

[PaphLover]

She seems to be swelling. Interesting that the flower has remained so yellow in contrast to the others.

[Leslie]

It's hard to tell if the pod is pregnant with seeds even up to the last moment. I have had pods grown to maturity (approx 4-6 months) with no seeds. Most infertile pods drop off within a month but be aware of 'fake' pregnancies too. All part of the fun.

Oh the intensified colors of pollinated flowers esp in ones with the violacea/bellina complex is not unusual. Sometimes the flowers turn green like the pod!


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[PaphLover]

Fake pregnancies, huh? Oh, those wily orchids!

[orchidsarefun]

If it makes it past 3 months, the next hurdle will be if the pod contains seeds. The pod should continue to grow and swell.
In the meantime you can read up on orchid ploidy and it's effect on fertility. Good luck and keep us informed. Those 2 phals would make a great cross and it's a pity they're noids.

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[PaphLover]

"Those 2 phals would make a great cross and it's a pity they're noids."

Thanks orchidsarefun! That's kind of you to say. I'm glad my choice of parents is given such a nod of approval.

[PaphLover]

Not sure if this is a "fake pregnancy" or not, but here's an updated photo of its growth. It sure has lengthened.

[gngrhill]

Good luck. I hope you get babies