Harvesting Times for Seed Capsules
Cattleya Species and Hybrids
| Unifoliate Cattleya | 5 to 6 months |
| Bifoliate Cattleya | 4 to 5 months |
| Slc. Pot. and Other Unusual Intergenerics | 4 to 5 months |
| Epicattleya, Cattleytonia and Their Hybrids | 4 to 5 months |
| Encyclia | 4 to 5 months |
| Reed Stem Epidendrums | 3 months |
| Brassavola (terete) | 4 to 5 months |
| Rhyncholaelia | 5 to 6 months |
| Laelia and Schomburgkia | 4 to 5 months |
| Broughtonia | 2 to 3 months |
Oncidium Species and Hybrids
| Mule-ear Oncidiums (luridum, lanceanum, splendidum) | 6 to 8 months |
| Miniature Oncidiums (Tolumnia) | 2 months |
| Oncidium triquetrum | 5 months |
| Oncidium sphacelatum and Related Species | 4 months |
| Oncidium papilio and Related Species | 100 days |
| Miltonia and Odontoglossum | 4 months |
Vandaceous Species and Hybrids
| Vanda, Ascocentrum and Ascocenda* | 5 to 7 months |
| Rhynchostylis, Renanthera, Arachnis | 5 to 8 months |
*After 65 days Vanda and Ascocenda seed capsules may turn slightly yellow but are NOT ready to be planted and
should be allowed to remain on the plant the full length of time. If the capsule does not contain viable seed it will
usually continue to turn yellow and drop off.
Phalaenopsis Species and Hybrids
| Phalaenopsis Large Flowered | 4 to 5 months |
| Phalaenopsis Small Flowered | 5 to 8 months |
Dendrobium Species and Hybrids
| Dendrobium phalaenopsis | 4 to 5 months |
| Dendrobium nobile | 5 months |
| Dendrobium pendulous | 6 to 7 months |
| Antelope | 4 to 5 months |
Propagation of Orchids Sexual
Sexual propagation of orchids is either by selfing, self fertilization, which transfers the
pollinia from the anther to the stigma of the same flower or sibbing (sibling cross),
cross fertilization (the crossing of two different individuals).
Pollination
Pollination is the transferring of pollinia from the anther to the stigma. This can occur
naturally by bees, flies, birds, butterflies, moths, wasps or mosquitoes. In nature pollinators
visit the flowers to feed or by deceptive mimicry.
Seed Pod
After pollination the sepals, petals and lip fold with 1-3 days and the ovary begins to enlarge.
Enlargement continues until the pod matures. Ovules are not present in the mature flower.
Ovule development is initiated by pollination. Ovules take from 8 to 150 days to develop.
The interval between pollination and fertilization is 8 to 150 days. Usually immediately after
ovule development fertilization occurs. However, complete seed pod development takes longer.
Green Pod Culture
The green pod method of sowing orchid seed is the most common method.
The pod is harvested when the seed is viable but before the capsule splits.
Care of Flasks
Flasks must remain sealed or contamination will occur
Store under low light intensity - 80-90% shade screening
Fiberglass cover or in a window
75-80° F optimal
Extremes tolerated for short time (30 - 110° F)
No direct water - low humidity
Removing Plants From Flask
Carefully break flask or remove plants roots first with tweezers or with a wire hook
Wash plants with plain water to remove all agar
Leave clumps together and plant as one - can be separated later-
smaller plants will usually die if separated from clump
Pot large plants individually in 2 or 3" pots,
pot smaller plants in a community pot or in a tray
Use sphagnum or seedling mix good drainage
Water plants thoroughly after planting to clean medium
Then spray pots, medium and plants with a fungicide/bactericide (RD20)
Resume normal watering - once a day or every other day
Fertilize every two weeks
Repeat spraying with fungicide/bactericide every 3-4 weeks (Captan or Dithane)