seeds wanted
 

:hello
I'm looking for someone reliable that has a pod or two they are willing to depart with. I have tried to purchase orchid seeds from ebay and aliepress at different times. I was sent a phal orchid pod that was dried and had already been open. At another time from aliepress I was sent seeds, but they were not orchid seeds. I got the shaft twice. I'm trying to do a project with my grandchild. If there is someone who could help me, I would be grateful. Thanks

Do you understand what is involved with growing orchids from seed, and how complicated it is?

Most people don't let their plants set seed. It's expensive to pay somebody to raise them, and it takes years before they bloom.

Ditto what ES says. Though assuming you know the work involved with sowing orchid seed, there was nothing wrong with the opened pod you received. If there was still seed in it, then it was usable.

But if you really want to try this project, over the years I've regularly heard of people sending seed pods to others here on OB. Some people pollinate for the fun of it to see if they can get a seed pod. If you are really patient, you can also pollinate your own orchids.

Thanks for the sound advice
 

I Thank You Guys for the insight about sowing seed. I've been researching for about 3 months on various websites and books about the techniques and procedures to sow orchid seeds/flasking. I understand that it is time consuming, takes patience and requires certain conditions to be a success. I believe that nothing beats a failure but a try. I don't know if I would produce good results, unless I give it a try. If I acquire seed to take on this task. I will keep the board informed on my progress and what I've learned. I'm sure it will be a learning experience.:)

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Thank you for all the advice.

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Thank you for your kind advice. I just saw your photos. Camille your orchids are beautiful and vibrant. They are very healthy. Hopefully my collection will be just as beautiful.

---------- Post added at 12:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:21 PM ----------

Thank you for your kind advice. I just saw your photos. Camille your orchids are beautiful and vibrant. They are very healthy. Hopefully my collection will be just as beautiful.

Do you have all of the materials for sowing orchid seeds? Have you thought about just buying a flask and practicing unflasking first? That way you could become familiar with the equipment and see the goal so you know what to work toward when you finally do sow seed?

Flasking and unflasking are two very different things, and the skills don't really cross over. The biggest challenge of home flasking is sterilization technique.

This home sterilization technique apparently works very well (photos missing thanks to photobucket's ridiculous new policies). I was curious to try it back when originally posted, but lacked seeds...
Very Easy Sterilisation Method - My Seedlings

The problem with growing orchids from seed is the length of time that it takes for most of them to do anything very exciting. I know that my kids, at any age, would have lost interest. They quickly became busy with school activities and then were soon off to college.

Growing plants with children, however, is a fantastic introduction to science (photosynthesis, ecology, chemistry, physics, biology, biochemistry....). I grew herbs and my children really enjoyed learning about them. Even my youngest, at two, knew which were edible and which were not. Herbs teach children about all kinds of things beside science, too, such as history (i.e. bay laurel/Roman history, herbs used in the middle ages but not popular now, etc.), cooking, organic gardening, medicine, and culture for example (different countries often favor different herbs). They grow easily and fairly quickly so that children don't have time to lose interest and the leaves are often scented. My kids loved picking the edible leaves and eating them and, even now, they like to use the fresh herbs in their cooking.

Just an idea.....

I have practiced flasking
 

Thank you guys for your replies. Yes, I have been practicing flasking. It went well. I waited 8 days to make sure nothing was growing inside the flasks like mold. I have all the material I need. I just need the seeds. I even made myself a glove box for my flasking.

Yes, children do lose interest and move on to something else. It has peaked my interest, so if my grandchild loses interest along the way, it's ok. I will wait to see what happens with the sowing, if it's a success or not. I'm a child at heart so it will be like being in a candy store, the anticipation of it all is so exciting.:blushing:

It's a great practice in patience and seedlings can really bring a lot of surprises! I hope you are successful in your endeavors!

Melody, I have gotten spontaneously pollinized seed pods on my Den. kingianum plants several times. They are blooming now and for the next month or so. I will keep you in mind if any show up this year.