Grammathophyllum scriptum var 'Tiger Paw' Swollen Flowers?

[ckhiga]

Ok not sure what's going on with this orchid. Most of the flowers on the spike fell off and the one's that didn't the flowers looks swollen (see attached). I though orchids grew from spores? Not seeds because this is what i am assuming is happening?

I live in Hawaii so the weather is pretty warm and humid. I have lots of orchids species and they do well. None are sick etc.


The first picture is of the swollen flower, the second of the plant before anything ever happenned. The third photo of one of the remaining regular flowers left on the spike, and the fourth is what they swollen flowers look like. I've never seen anything like it. Is she sick?

[Cjcorner]

Lucky You...those are seed pods. It got pollinated. Now if you only knew what had pollinated it. Do you have any other gram types?

[ckhiga]

No this is the only one of this type of species that I have. I got a few onicidium, dendrobiums, vandas, phals, cattleyas, and cimbidiums. Only two of my dens and 1 vanda is blooming now. Got lots of bees flying around all year round here.

What does that mean? What will happen now?! What should I do?!

[Cjcorner]

You can allow them to mature and try your hand at flasking. Or you can cut them off. Orchid "seeds" aren't really seeds. They are tiny microscopic things. There are several nice articles on the website that discuss flasking. That might help you decide. I would guess it came pollinated from the vendor. If so, it may have been pollinated by another gram nearby. At nurseries, often plants are grown in groups. They will have 50 and up of one plant. There is no way to tell really unless you allow the pods to mature and later test the baby plants. There are a few people on this website that might be interested in your pods. When they get close to maturing you would need to put a coffee filter over the pod, so that when the pod opens the "seeds" aren't lost. Good luck with whatever you decide. There are also some very nice nurseries in Hawaii that would be able to help you with your pods and flasking, should you decide to give it a go.

[delphiguy]

Congratulations on the seed pod your going to be a mommy

[orchidsal]

Congratulations on the seed pod your going to be a mommy

And if I may add without the labor pains or lengthy adaption process! Just add water and mix.........instant family! All kidding aside this is a nice choice you can make. AL

[ckhiga]

The bee germinated the plant so at this point I don't know if it a true "self-induced" cross or if the bee had another polen when he landed on the flower and germinated it there. So can plants be germinated with plants not of their species? OR can any orchids pollinate with other orchids?

[panam]

Cynthia, keep us informed how this goes - we're all interested.

[smurphr]

having seed pods develop on your orchids is always an exciting thing, i think anyway, but honestly unless you have the means, know how, determination and masochistic inclination it requires to try flasking them yourself...i would cut them off cuz they are a drain on the overall plant's resources... that said, i am 100% behind giving it a go...glass jar, some agar jelly, add some coconut milk...keep it sterile and use lots of saran wrap!!!