First seed pod

[slippery_biscuit]

Spent a month hopping around the Med. and came home to some new flowers, lots of new growths popping all over, and the epi nocturnum (spl?) that had been in bloom when I left now has a nice fat seed pod. Not sure what to do with it, but my question is that if the bloom had not been fertilized there would be no seed pod, correct? And secondly, there was only one flower on the plant and is that enough to ensure high probability that it is 'self'? fertilized? Or is it more likely some fly was jumping around from another flowering plant?

cheers

[made4engineering]

But are flies really that interested? And are they even the appropriate size to have pollina come off on them and stay? I dont know of any self pollinating orchids either. No bees possible? I think they only visit a flower once, so if it was a bee, I think it will be hybridized. This is a mystery...

[slippery_biscuit]

hmmm, didn't think of it before but now I could also add that the plant has not been outdoors. No flies or other flying critters in the house when the flower has been on display. Some small gnat-like flies in the greenhouse when first in flower.

[exasperatus2002]

How about beetles? ive seen beetles in flower heads while hiking and I've had problems with earwigs eating the silk tassles off my sweet corn last year.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by slippery_biscuit

Not sure what to do with it, but my question is that if the bloom had not been fertilized there would be no seed pod, correct?

A fair assumption.

And secondly, there was only one flower on the plant and is that enough to ensure high probability that it is 'self'? fertilized?

I would have thought the opposite. The orchids that I grow that self pollinate do so automatically when a pollinator has not done the job for them. ie. If it was a self-pollinating species I'd expect several pods on the plant.

As for what pollenated it, in addition to the possible suspects mentioned, the fact that it's called the 'night scented orchid' suggests a moth pollinator to me. Do you have any other Epidendrums or related genera that were in flower at the time that could be possible pollen parents or was it only this one that was flowering at the time?

[slippery_biscuit]

There is an Epidendrum flowering now, but by the time it was flowering, the nocturnum was in the house on display. Maybe a moth sneaked in while I was on vacation.?.?

I suppose the biggest reason I'm even noting this event is over the last year many orchids have flowered for me and all of the blossoms have done their thing, then dried up and fallen off. This pod has surprised me.