I think I made a mistake (ho ho) - Orchid Board

ErikaAurelia · #1 04-25-2016, 05:45 AM

Well, hello!

(Gosh, this turned a bit long, if tldr: I pollinated my orchids and now at least one of the flowers is changing appearance, is this an indication of that it "worked"?)

The day before I joined this site I decided to try to cross my two orchids, for fun! I thought to myself "How cool wouldn't it be if my two orchids that I've had for some time had a baby?". And well... Now I've read about flasking etc and began to "woops"... This seems to be waaay too advanced for me, but maybe I could make it work anyway?
I can say that if I had known that orchids were that difficult to grow from seeds I would probably not have attempted to cross my orchids now, maybe in a few years when I (hopefully) got a place of my own and more space to work with. But well, done is done.

I have noticed that one of the flowers I involved in the pollinating thing has become a bit "swollen" and more yellow and than the others on the same plant, is this an indication of that it "worked"? I don't know much about all this, obviously, but how long would it take for it to grow a seed pod etc if it did work? And would I have to use the seeds right away when they're "ready" or could I save them for a year before trying? I suppose I could try growing them if I get any, but atm I'm just scared xD

I'll include photos of a normal flower and the one that is changing a bit.

Thanks in advance!

Fairorchids · #2 04-25-2016, 06:30 AM

Probably (it could also be reacting to being manhandled during pollination). It usually takes several days for clear signs of pollination.

However, seed pods can spontaneously abort at any time, so no guarantees yet.

A. There are labs that can do flasking for you, for a fee.

B. If both parents have names on the tag (label), you might sell a few plants. If either plant is store bought without a name on the label, your seedlings will be botanically worthless.

ErikaAurelia · #3 04-25-2016, 06:44 AM

Thank you for your answer, I know they're both phalaenopsis orchids, I do not remember more than that. I'm not planning on selling the seeds or potential plants, this was for myself, a fun thing.

Having a lab do it for me sounds expensive. If I could use my universitys lab I could easily do it myself, but I'm not sure they would let me use the lab for this

I think that if I happen to get seed pod from this, I will try to do it all at home. Since I'm not going to sell anything that comes from it, it doesn't really matter if I fail, but it would be fun to get a mix of these two orchids

bil · #4 04-25-2016, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErikaAurelia

Thank you for your answer, I know they're both phalaenopsis orchids, I do not remember more than that. I'm not planning on selling the seeds or potential plants, this was for myself, a fun thing.

Having a lab do it for me sounds expensive. If I could use my universitys lab I could easily do it myself, but I'm not sure they would let me use the lab for this

I think that if I happen to get seed pod from this, I will try to do it all at home. Since I'm not going to sell anything that comes from it, it doesn't really matter if I fail, but it would be fun to get a mix of these two orchids

Read up on it. It is a lot of work to go to for a couple of phals, IMO.

However, if you wish to study the process, go for it.

estación seca · #5 04-26-2016, 12:10 AM

If you have access to a lab with an autoclave to sterilize things, and you have the skills of working with bacteria, it is not hard at all. The chief barriers for most people are: 1. lack of sterile technique skills; 2. lack of a good workspace with minimal dust and contamination; 3. lack of a good way to sterilize containers with liquid.

ErikaAurelia · #6 04-26-2016, 12:31 AM

Maybe it is a lot of work for a few more plants, if I even succeed, but that doesn't matter to me atm.

If I could use my university's lab it wouldn't be any issues keeping it sterile, I've worked that way before, just not with seeds. I'm not sure if they'll let me, but I could ask. Else I'll just try to do it at home, since these are no rare or valuable seeds it will just be something fun I attempt, but ofc it would be fun to get something

Maybe I could view it as practice, maybe I want to do this more "for real" someday in the future.

Btw, that flower looks like it is "closing up" now. Will be fun to see if anything happens.

estación seca · #7 04-26-2016, 01:54 AM

If you already have the skills it will be easy for you. My experience has been that cookies help when requesting lab time.

ErikaAurelia · #8 04-27-2016, 08:49 AM

Haha, will ask the principal if I could use the lab, I guess it is good that I know him well x) But maybe it is something written about it, like "not allowed", but I guess I will find out.

I don't know if I want end up with 50 orchids though, that seems a bit heavy for one person. If I succeed in getting seeds and flasking I mean. I suppose I could kill some off, but I really don't like killing plants. :/

estación seca · #9 04-27-2016, 11:41 AM

Those are currency to trade for more plants.

ErikaAurelia · #10 04-28-2016, 05:09 AM

Haha, maybe! But I don't think I want that many new plants, but I suppose they could make good presents for people as well... make everyone in my family have one xD

---------- Post added at 11:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:55 AM ----------

The flower has completely closed up since yesterday or so, being curious this makes me a bit frustrated, I can't see anything!