My orchid is expecting!!!

[nicoleS]

Hi,

I tried to pollinate several of my orchids back in June (June 5 2011) and am happy to announce that one of them is growing a pod!

I was hoping that some of you more experienced 'orchidholics' can tell me something-
WHAT NOW??

How do I know when the seeds are ready? What is best way of going forward from here?

Images include:

1) shot of parent plants
2) day 1 June 5
3) June 10
4) July 5
5) Today! (July 20)

Thanks so much!

Nicole

[panam]

Wow - good job! I haven't done this with any of my orchids, but others have and I'm sure they will weigh in and give you some good advice. Congratulations, Nicole!

[Kmac]

You may find this thread helpful..
http://www.rv-orchidworks.com/orchid...laenopsis.html

[catasetum-ian]

now its the waiting time while digging for info about flasking, can send to commercial lab as suggested (wish i had it here, maybe i weren't looking hard enough yet) or start to read and then experiment on your own flasking. tried once myself but it was a bummer. but will try again with the second batch of phalenopsis pulcherrima seed pod.
can really tell how long it will take for the seed to mature, mine takes about 4 months plus, the coloration of the seedpod will turn from green to greenish brown, or some with yellow hue depends on orchids. but most important is not to let it crack to reduce chances of contamination.
and again, congratulations.

[AtantaR]

oh man the wait is a killer.....i had a seed pod once last year for the first time.....got set up with a lab and everything. just had to wait for it to mature....after 4 1/2 months of maturing something happened. water got to it and it rotted im going to have to wait another couple of years till those two orchids bloom again .........good luck on your journey and orchids wish u the best

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I'll just add a good luck to you as well. If I had lots more patience, I think I would try some flasking. It just is so much quicker to get the tiny plants in flask and go from there. haha...

Cheers,
BD