phaelenopsis pollination (w/pics eventually)

[jay greenthumb]

Introduction:
In Nature most Angiosperms Belonging to the family Orchidaceae have a Highly developed pollination System Henceforth, Pollination Is relatively rare, and due to this they have developed several methods of increasing their chance to reproduce; In optimal conditions their flowers can often remain Receptive for months at a time, they can attract pollinators visually with their shape or coloration, and nectar can be produced although in most species this is absent. Pollination in the wild usually occurs only when a pollinating insect enters the flower and makes contact with a viscidium when the pollinator leaves the flower this viscidium pulls the pollina out of the anther and attaches it to the pollinator in such a manner that if the pollinator enters a flower of the same species the pollina usually will stick to the stigma of that flower and pollination has occurred. As mentioned before this event taking place In Nature is rare leading to the concept of pollination by hand. The Phalaenopsis Orchid is usually a hardy epiphyte native throughout Southeast Asia. This flower's reproductive organs are relatively easy to locate and identify making it the most suitable Genus to use for this experiment
Objective:
To remove the pollina from several flowers attached to Phaelenopsis Specimens 1b and 1c then place them into the stigma of several flowers attached to specimen 1a in order to cause pollination while maintaining a sterile environment.
Materials:
2 Sharp metal rods,
50 Ml of Ethyl alcohol (or other sterilizing Agent)
1 pair of tweezers
Procedure:

1.) Move to a well ventilated Area and use the ethyl alcohol to sterilize your instruments.

2.) Before you begin be sure that your flowers are well supported with stakes as not to damage the spikes during Pollination




3.) Locate the anther of the first flower of specimen 1b.note that this flower was removed from the plant for demonstrational purposes but during pollination the utmost care should be taken to not damage any part of the plant.


4.) Once the anther has been identified use a sharp metal rod and tweazers to remove the polinna


5.) Once the pollina have been removed carefully separate them from the Anther cap. (Now that the pollen has been removed it can be expected that the flower might wilt)

6.) Now that the pollina has been removed it must be placed into the stigma of specimen


Be absolutely sure that the pollina is placed as far down into the ovary as can be done without damaging the plants reproductive system

7.) Within 72 hours successful pollination will be evident by the pedals of the flower protectively closing over the central reproduction system.

End



if i made any mistakes PLS let me know

thanx in advance