Phals - cannot impregnate! What am I doing wrong!

[JackiePS]

Hello everyone!

I do not know what I'm doing wrong. I've hand pollinated several of my phals and I've not had one single success. I'm starting to think that I'm not doing it correctly. I've watched videos on youtube, etc. but I feel as if I'm missing something.

I've been placing the pollen behind the fang looking thing in the column. Am I missing a crucial step? I greatly appreciate any input and advice. If anyone has a great video, please share, as the ones I've found on youtube are not that detailed.

As always, thank you for your time and expertise!!

[naokit]

Are you putting the pollinia in the hole (depression)? See Fig. 4 (5) here:
Morphology, Regional Difference and Taxonomy
Then after a while, the hole closes like Fig. 4 (6). Does this happen? When you say that it is not successful, do you get the fruit development and no seeds or fruits do not develop?

Are you using hybrids or species? If hybrids, reproduction part could be screwed up (like triploids (3x) parent).

[orchidlady]

Do you know what the names of the plants are? There are some hybrids that are "mules" and will not breed because of their ploidy. Do you have photos of where exactly you are placing the pollen? How old are the pollen and flowers you are trying to pollinate? If they are too old they may not be viable.

Susan

[JackiePS]

Are you putting the pollinia in the hole (depression)? See Fig. 4 (5) here:
Morphology, Regional Difference and Taxonomy
Then after a while, the hole closes like Fig. 4 (6). Does this happen? When you say that it is not successful, do you get the fruit development and no seeds or fruits do not develop?

Are you using hybrids or species? If hybrids, reproduction part could be screwed up (like triploids (3x) parent).

Hi there!
I'm not getting anything, no fruit. I'm pretty sure they are hybrids because I purchased them in supermarket. I've been practicing on these phals so that I don't screw it up when I try to do my cattleyas! lol!

---------- Post Merged at 01:32 PM ----------

Do you know what the names of the plants are? There are some hybrids that are "mules" and will not breed because of their ploidy. Do you have photos of where exactly you are placing the pollen? How old are the pollen and flowers you are trying to pollinate? If they are too old they may not be viable.

Susan

Hi Susan!
That may very well be the case. I tried with fresh flowers this time and still nothing that I see yet. I will post pictures today so that I can show where I am placing the pollen.

---------- Post Merged at 02:53 PM ----------

I stand corrected! It finally happened! I see swelling! Pics to follow! I guess I have been doing it correctly! yay!

[78Terp]

OK are you ready for it? Here goes......

That's swell!

Sorry!

[JackiePS]

OK are you ready for it? Here goes......

That's swell!

Sorry!

Oh Harvey......lol! You got a chuckle out of me on a Monday morning, impressive!

So how long after the change in the flower should I see the pod forming? I'm not sure it's going to take but I'm more hopeful now!

[78Terp]

I am not a fan of Monday morning either!

[naokit]

So how long after the change in the flower should I see the pod forming? I'm not sure it's going to take but I'm more hopeful now!

Usually within a couple days. The petals and sepals wilt in many Phal species, or it became green in other Phals (e.g. P. amboinensis in Fig. 6 of the link above). The fruit could elongate for a couple months, but it elongates quite rapidly in the beginning. The link I provided above has more detailed timeline of what happens after fertilization.

[JackiePS]

Usually within a couple days. The petals and sepals wilt in many Phal species, or it became green in other Phals (e.g. P. amboinensis in Fig. 6 of the link above). The fruit could elongate for a couple months, but it elongates quite rapidly in the beginning. The link I provided above has more detailed timeline of what happens after fertilization.

Thank you so much! You have been extremely helpful! Even if this one doesn't work out, at least now I know I've been doing it right. Other than the initial swelling, nothing else is apparent so I'm guessing it's probably going to terminate I will keep trying though!

[JackiePS]

I have 2 seed pods forming. Anyone do the seed harvesting & flasking? I figured I would ask around the forum & orchid groups first.