Trying to learn how to pollinate phals

[Gwenchanter]

Thanks that was a great idea. I found some good images. I totally didn't realize there was an upside-down cup on the underside of the column, but now that I look at my flowers I see it! I'm assuming it's best not to remove the anther cap on the pod parent? And also, I have a brand new flower just opened which I would like to use as the father, but the flowers on the plant i would like to be the mother are about a week old. Do you think they are too old?

[dgenovese1]

Originally Posted by Gwenchanter

Thanks that was a great idea. I found some good images. I totally didn't realize there was an upside-down cup on the underside of the column, but now that I look at my flowers I see it! I'm assuming it's best not to remove the anther cap on the pod parent? And also, I have a brand new flower just opened which I would like to use as the father, but the flowers on the plant i would like to be the mother are about a week old. Do you think they are too old?

Gwen,

You do want to remove the pollinia/anther cap from the pod parent, otherwise you stand a good chance of self pollinating your new hybrid. Also, Phalaephila's advice is good about letting the flowers mature a bit before pollinating them, I would say at least a couple of weeks. I hope this is helpful to you.