Letting "Mother Nature" pollinate the orchids

[Toni1968]

I have been doing a lot of reading on pollinating, and I have come to the conclusion that "Mother Nature" Seems to be my; and probably my phals, best chance. I am a window sill grower with somewhere around 20 orchids, mostly phals. and most in full fresh blooms.

So my question is: If I take them out on a covered front porch can the bees do the work?
my porch is right next to my flower garden where bees are in abundance. The weather has been in the high 80's - lower 90's with a light breeze. They will be in the shade and have no moisture on the leaves so they shouldn't get sun or wind burned. Maybe take them out in mid morning and bring them back in after a few hours or take them out early evening; when it is cooler, and bring back in before bed. I would appreciate any and all feedback on this! I am nervous about "hurting" my babies!

[Halloamey]

Hi Toni, I appreciate your thought, but what you have in your garden, is not what Mother Nature intended to be there. Firstly your plants are Phals most probably hybrids that don't exist in nature, secondly Phals are from south east asia and not the Americas. Secondly even if your orchids were species. they are from tropics and subtropics and not temperate climates. Orchid pollination is not achieved by ordinary honey bees in the way common flowers are pollinated there are very specific orchid and pollinator interactions. You can see one such video here presented by a legend, Sir David Attenborough




Most probably the natural insect pollinator will be unavailable. If your orchids were in their native habitat then you could expect mother nature to do her work, anywhere else and they are going to need our help.

[Cjcorner]

Great video...I love how those things stick to the bees! There are articles online about pollinating your orchids, but you might want to read up on what is done then with the "seeds" as they are not sown like regular seeds. There is a pod you much "catch" the "seeds" from. The seeds are microscopic by the way. And they are sown in something called "agar". Read up before undertaking this one...only a few on here actually do all that. I tried baby plants early on, which is why I now wait and buy only previously bloomed plants.

[Toni1968]

Amey- Thank you for your response, That film was fascinating! And it makes sense why it wont work. I was just hoping there was a easier way!
Connie- Yes I have read and watched several things on the "seed" harvesting and It look quite challenging. I still am going to try it, It cant hurt, can it? LOLOLOL I guess I will let you know about this time next year!

[Halloamey]

Hope to hear and see from you sooner !

[Toni1968]

I will post pictures along the way IF things work out the way I planned. Today I pollinated 3 different Phal. orchids, so in a few (4/5) months; if IT worked, ((FINGERS ARE CROSSED)) I will start to see something and will start snap shots asap.
I also want to thank Zainal Abidin for the article on pollinating posted on 4/15/2011 SO THANK YOU!

[panam]

Good luck, Toni!

[Toni1968]

Good luck, Toni!

Thanks Patty, I think I am going to need more than luck!

[panam]

Well, you've got some experts here in the forum who will be valuable resources.

[Toni1968]

Well, you've got some experts here in the forum who will be valuable resources.

I know! You all have already! Thanks to all!