Pollen ripening

[IdahoOrchid]

I have two catt alliance plants I want to cross. How do I tell when the pollen is ripe?

How long before I can tell if it took once I place the pollen?

[Tindomul]

The pollen is good to go I believe as soon as the plant is in bloom. Do you know how long the blooms is supposed to last? Don't wait too long. In anycase, people store pollen for months and so I think you can afford to wait a week or so after the initial bloom. If there is any scent, you know they are ready.

[newflasker]

Some experts said that pollinate after the flower full opens a week. I used to enjoy blooming for 3-4 weeks then pollinate and still got several pods. Try to cross pollinate if you have more than one plants. If you have only one plant try to cross pollinate between flowers. After pollinating, don't move the plant. Normally 3 - 7 days you will see the base of the flower swollen means it's good chance if not it's dead. The flower will fade either it's good or bad. After 3 months if the pod doesn't drop it's good and the pod may have many viable seeds.

[IdahoOrchid]

Do you crush the pollen cap or do you just insert it and let it dissolve?

[newflasker]

I just insert pollen.

[Tindomul]

New flasker, I like that 3 months rule!! Now I'm praying for my seed pod to still be good at the end of August.

[Becca]

I was messing around one time and tried pollinating some flowers. The flowers started swelling and closed up. I left them that way, but soon all of the flowers closed, even the ones I did not pollinate, and then the stems started to turn brown after a week or so. Is that normal or does that mean my pollinating did not work? Either way, I was just having fun!

[IdahoOrchid]

The flower I chose to pollenate is starting to wither. I will be watching closely for swelling to start at the base of the flower.

I think I will also do another flower as a backup in a day or two.

Here are pics of the pollen doner (Slc Jungle Gem) and the receptor (Blc Golden Tang).

[Tricho]

Originally Posted by RPfeiffer

my pollinating did not work?

Yes, most probably!

[newflasker]

Some of my pods this year. All of them are Phals self and cross.









Enough for me to play and exchange this year.

Cheers