Phalaenopsis Pollination

[benauld]

Hi,

My apologies if this is in the wrong place!

I've searched the forums without much success, I just wondered whether anybody knows how Phalaenopsis are pollinated in the wild? Also how I can go about replicating this at home?

Many thanks in advance,

Ben.

[-k-]

This thread may be of some interest to you, there are a few others, just do a search in the forum for pollination!
Pollinating Phalenopsis

[edgy]

It's a fairly simple process Ben. Read the link K provided. I've tried and have been successful several times. It has worked out best for me when I've tried to pollinate newer flowers. Older flowers don't seem to take. If you have more questions after reading, pm me.

[cable]

I'm not sure what pollinates them in the wild, but I recall seeing a photo of a Phal. that had a bee stuck in each of its flowers, so they must attract bees! I'm guessing a *different* species of bee does the pollination in the wild, one that doesn't get trapped.

[benauld]

Thanks for the info folks, much appreciated! The illustration in that link is really useful. I'm pretty sure I could cross-pollinate a flower now, but having read just some of the complicated process of seed germination, I think this is a project for the future!

Regards,

Ben.