From Spike to Seed Pod...hopefully :)

[Peekapoolady]

Hello all!

After a lot of reading and more reading, I decided to try pollination. So from Jan 2, 2011 I started to photograph my Phal on a regular basis to document the whole process. I will be sharing photos as changes happen. I hope all goes well, but I know many things can happen and this could all be a big flop too. So far so good.

Pic 1 Jan 2, 2011 plant with new spike.
Pic 2 Jan 9, 2011 growth of spike
Pic 3 Jan 11, 2011 """
Pic 4 Jan 19, 2011, 7 buds and still growing

continued...

[Peekapoolady]

There is a break in the photos because I was out of the country for 2 weeks.

But to continue from when I got back...

Pic 5 Feb 12, 2011 Buds growing, 14 now.
Pic 6 Feb 14, 2011 watching 3rd flower.
Pic 7 Feb 14, 3 hours later...starting to open.
Pic 8 Feb 15, 2011- 1st flower to open is 3rd on spike.
Pic 9 Feb 18, 2011-2nd flower opens, 2nd on spike from bottom.

Also, I pollinated the Flower #1 that opened 2-15-11 x self.

[Peekapoolady]

Pic 10 Feb 18, 2011 3rd flower to open, is 1st from bottom up.
Pic 11 Feb 21, 2011 You can see the pollinated flower #3 starting to curl

Took 3 days to show any changes.

Pic 12 Feb 21, 2011 4th flower opened. 3rd flower wilting more.
Pic 13 Feb 21, 3 hours later, 5th flower opening. Watching changes.

[Peekapoolady]

Pic 14 Feb 22, 2011 5th flower open, can see #3 changes.
Pic 15 Feb 22, close up of Flower #1 after pollination.
Pic 16 Feb 28, close up of flower #3.

So far both pollinated flowers are showing changes.
I will update soon.

Thanks for reading!

Peekapoolady

[Peekapoolady]

I have some updated photos showing the wilting flowers. Hopefully I will get seed pods and start the flasking process in 6 months.

A big thank you to Dankr for agreeing to send me some pollinia from his
Phal. Sogo John 'Golden Sun' x Phal. Doudi Spot 'Mr. Lin'.s.

I can't wait to get it!

Any comments on my project???? Thanks!

Peekapoolady

[orchids4me]

Good luck with your project!

[steam fire and ice]

Good luck with yours. I myself have a couple of plants that Ive pollinated myself to see the process as well. Looks like its going to be a big learning experience for us both.

[dankr]

Interesting how quickly the flower changes after pollination.
I selfed my Neofinetia falcata x Vanda. tessellata var. alba and it took about a week to show signs that I recognized; the column and anthere-cap started swelling and turning a yellow color. Now the seedpod-to-be is greening up a little near where the flower attaches.
Hope you get the pollen while you still have flowers on that spike!

[Peekapoolady]

Originally Posted by dankr

Hope you get the pollen while you still have flowers on that spike!

I'm sure it will be here tomorrow

There are 8 flowers open and looks like 8 more to go, so 16 total.

Thanks again for everything, let me know when you recieve the "sandalwood/rose" in the mail.

Peekapoolady

[Peekapoolady]

I received the pollinia (Phal. Sogo John 'Golden Sun' x Phal. Doudi Spot 'Mr. Lin'.s) today from Dankr.

I pollinated flower #2 with it. (3-5-2011)

It will take time.....MUCH time to see if I am sucessful, but all I can do now is wait.

Wish me well!

[dankr]

Oh Good! I want to see how these babies do!
Got candle yesterday; very nice, Thanks!

[Ladyofthelakes]

Wow, your brave and patient. The orchid looks so like my Phal that bloomed for me last summer. Sadly I lost it due to my own undoing. It was really beautiful.

Happy pollinating and flasking! Look forward to hearing about your project.

[Peekapoolady]

Just an update.

I have 2 seed pods forming. All is looking good so far.

Here's pic of one pod as of last night 3-10-2011.

Peekapoolady

[Filb]

This is so exciting!
I will live vicariously through you since I am too chicken to try pollinating yet.

[maiseymoo]

Originally Posted by Filb

This is so exciting!
I will live vicariously through you since I am too chicken to try pollinating yet.

I agree, would love to try it but don't think I have the time, patience or knowledge! Good luck!!!

[Peekapoolady]

I am SAD to say, the flower that was crossed with the pollinia donated by Dankr did not last. The stem turned pink and dried out. It fell off when I touched it. But all is not lost. It looks like I have 3 seed pods doing well. Now to keep them that way.....

[dankr]

Bummer; did you save any pollen for a second try?

[Peekapoolady]

Did you send more than one? I only found one in the envelope. It really bummed me out that it didn't take. But I seem to have 3 healthy seed pods from my selfing, so that makes me glad. At least something went right.

[dankr]

There were two pollinia still in the anther cap when I shipped it.
When I tried to detach the pollinia the anther cap broke off; so I shipped it as-it-was. I should have told you what to look out for. My plant only had the one flower on it; though another may develop given time. I've got some spikes developing on other Phal.s; but no big buds or flowers right now - or I'd send you more pollinia.

[Peekapoolady]

That's okay. I appreciate the fact you sent me some in the first place!

[Peekapoolady]

The three seed pods are looking good.

New pics from 3-29-11

[Filb]

That's very exciting. I'm thinking about selfing my Phal. Little Emperor.
I think I'll be able to use some resources at the university I go to for flasking, which is really the only reason I'm even THINKING to try it.
Did you use a guide or FAQ to learn how to do this?

[AnamariaM]

Dear Peekapoolady, thank you for sharing this amazing process with us. I am new to this forum and new to growing orchids but, as soon as I saw an orchid first time i fell in love with them. I received one as a gift and was given one to save it from someone who couldn't figure plants out. All this started just over a year ago. I t turned out a great success as my orchids developed beautifully. In february, on last year's spike of one of the orchids 2 little buds grew. One of the buds stopped growing and the one bellow it grew huge very fast . Surprize, surprize, the huge bud has a leaf and a flower about to blossom. I will take foto later today and will upload it for you to see. I would like to know if you or anyone can tell me if this will be a new orchid plant that I will be able to later separate from the spike and repot it. I am so excited about this. Thank you !

[Peekapoolady]

Originally Posted by Filb

Did you use a guide or FAQ to learn how to do this?

Actually I learned about pollinating from this site and all the knowledge shared here! Then I watched some videos on youtube to make sure I was doing things correctly. It has been a lot of fun and my seedpods are growing bigger. I will be flasking on my own if I get to that point. I can't wait!!

It's fun to share this with everyone!

[Peekapoolady]

Originally Posted by AnamariaM

I will take foto later today and will upload it for you to see. I would like to know if you or anyone can tell me if this will be a new orchid plant that I will be able to later separate from the spike and repot it. I am so excited about this. Thank you !

You have to post 5 times before you can share a photo, but I'd love to see it!

[AnamariaM]

Do these 'quick reply's count as posts?

[Peekapoolady]

Yes they do!!!

[AnamariaM]

Great! I've just read on another site that the little new plant can be cut off once it has developed few roots. But the bad news is that it can be a sign that my plant is stressed and it is making sure it reproduces itself. So I'm now a bit worried. I will have a better look at it.

Will also post a picture or two tomorrow.

[AnamariaM]

Hello again Peekapoolady. I have been extremely busy and didn't get a chance to come online. I think I will need one more post then I can upload the pictures of my baby orchid grown on the last year's spike. The flower is fully developed now. How is your project going?