They are pods. Great flowering Monique!
Welcome to OrchidTalk Orchid Forums
The Friendliest Orchid Community on the Internet!
OrchidTalk - "Bringing People Together to Grow Orchids Better!"
Let us help you grow your Orchids better; Join our community today.
YES! I want to register an account for free right now!
Register or Login now to remove this advertisement.
I’ve had this orchid for about 2 years and it has bloomed nicely this time. I just went to take off some dead blooms and saw these two pods at the base of the blooms. None of the other blooms seem to have them. Are they seed pods, and if so, can I “harvest” them and replant?
Posted via Mobile Device
They are pods. Great flowering Monique!
Nice Monique!
Definitely a pod, but to take it forward is a lot of work, but if you have the time and you are willing, give it a go!
If you seriously want a few hundred seedlings, possibly of this species, or maybe of some unknown hybrid - the other parent being something else which was in flower a few months ago, I suggest you get the bigger pod raised professionally, but it may or may not be ready yet : judging that takes a lot of experience.
Otherwise you can waste a lot if time and have some expense, all to nought. Just sprinkling seed, when the pod bursts, standsa one chance in a million of leading somewhere.
But its a great plant you have there - makes me envious !
Technically, orchids have seed "capsules", not "pods", but pod is the common term anyway....
For the most part, orchid seed contains no nutrient stores ("yolk", if you will), so in nature must be infected with a specific fungus, which will provide sugars to it to allow germination. The agar substrate used in flasks provides those sugars, but must be done in a sterile environment to avoid contamination by other fungi.
If you're really interested in growing plants from seed, search for a lab to handle the flashing now, so you can be prepared to harvest and ship. Keep a close eye on the capsule, and if you see either end just beginning to yellow a bit, THAT'S the time to remove it from the plant and get it to the lab.
I take my seed pods and tie them to a tree that has moss on it in some form. Look for a tree that has resurrection fern or moss growing on the bark. Put the pod against the moss, in the moss...somehow and then leave it to mother nature. You live in Miami...i'm guessing you know a swampy area or park where someone could find a prime spot. We have a Botanical Garden up the road here that loves seed pods from species that will do well there. Also, because of where you live, you might try with a shaded mossy spot in your own yard if you have one. I read something about a lady in a tropical area using a pot of moss to sprout orchid pods. I would maybe do some research and try it if you have the patience. You have the prime location too.