Does Setting a Seed Pod Pose Any Harm on Mother Plant?

[Happypaphy7]

I was playing with an idea of making some crosses with species and hybrids in barbarta section, and this question popped up to my mind as I don't want to take a risk and lose plants.

When a plant (paph in the above mentioned group) is pollinated, does it still grow new fans and flower like normal while being "pregnant"??
I guess for species it would be yes, since that's part of their cycle in the nature, but does it put too much pressure on the plant and possibly cause it to decline since it has done its job?
What about the hybrid plants? How do they live on once they have flowers pollinated and seed pods start developing??


Now, I have seen that big nurseries where they do active breeding, as soon as they spot quality flowers among first blooming plants, they would slice off the pouch and pollinate. So I'm guessing it is alright, but then their goal is producing more quality or more exciting new plants, and continue on breeding, while my focus is more about maintaining mother plants that I love, and with breeding being a side kick (that is if I start).

Thanks in advance!

 

[trdyl]

As long as the plant is healthy it would not be a problem. But if it is weak, it I best not to.

 

[PaphMadMan]

I would avoid pollinating single growth plants, and rule out plants in questionable health or that need repotting, unless I was more interested in getting the seeds than in keeping the plant itself. Other than that I would usually go for it, but expect that the next round of growth and flowering may be delayed or limited except in vigorous mature plants.

 

[consettbay2003]

If your focus is on maintaining mother plants that you love then I would
not use them as breeding stock. Personally I would leave breeding to the professionals, unless you have something that is truly exceptional.

 

[Happypaphy7]

Thanks, everyone!

Ok, then I think I will divide my plants and have at least one back up just in case.

 

[troy]

I have a screaming eagle x sanderianum I'm going to self, that has a pot full of roots 3 growths and grows so fast it's noticeable everyday, and I'm gonna ask a professional to help

 

[gonewild]

Thanks, everyone!

Ok, then I think I will divide my plants and have at least one back up just in case.

If your plant is large enough to divide and in good health maturing a seedpod on it will not cause any harm to the plant.
In reality the physical act of dividing a plant probably creates more health risk than allowing it carry a seedpod.

 

[PaphMadMan]

Agreeing with Lance, dividing a Paph should ideally leave each division with at least 2 mature grows plus an active new growth coming on. If plants are big enough for that they can easily carry a seedpod with far less stress than division.

In response to consettbay2003, if all orchid breeding was left to professionals the available hybrids would be far less diverse and interesting. Their first motivation has to be profit rather than curiosity or creativity. And why should they have all the fun? Amateurs may use plants of questionable quality at times, but it is professionals that account for all the indistinguishable mass market dreck out there.

 

[gonewild]

Amateurs may use plants of questionable quality at times, but it is professionals that account for all the indistinguishable mass market dreck out there.

Amateurs also possess some outstanding quality plants that commercial growers dont have access to.

 

[eteson]

Amateurs also possess some outstanding quality plants that commercial growers dont have access to.

Very true!

 

[Happypaphy7]

Thanks, everyone.

Yes, that makes sense. It's all part of what they do, but I wanted to make sure as I see certain plants ( mostly section paphiopedilum) get huge but I am yet to see Barbata group get anywhere near.
It might be their characteristics but I was wondering if making seeds sort of mark the end of the plant and tugs cycle the life all over again.

I think I will pick a good ( or better) growing of the two as a pod parent then.

And how does one keep pollen alive? How long do they stay viable?
I read somewhere that pollinia can be used more than once?
Is it true? If so, how is it done since the pollinia stay on the stigma I thought?

 

[Happypaphy7]

Agreeing with Lance, dividing a Paph should ideally leave each division with at least 2 mature grows plus an active new growth coming on. If plants are big enough for that they can easily carry a seedpod with far less stress than division.

In response to consettbay2003, if all orchid breeding was left to professionals the available hybrids would be far less diverse and interesting. Their first motivation has to be profit rather than curiosity or creativity. And why should they have all the fun? Amateurs may use plants of questionable quality at times, but it is professionals that account for all the indistinguishable mass market dreck out there.

Often I wish I had a big house in the surburb where I would have a entire extra floor dedicated for breeding. lol
I am now just thinking of making two hybrids just for the sake of satisfying ( hopefully) my taste and preference.
It's something that's been done in the past but I just don't have enough of what I want, so this motivation of remaking these and hopefully some ( or even if just one!) will turn out fitting my taste.

It sounds like hard work and lots of waiting for getting plants I want, but I get one or two good one out of so many I buy anyways so, in the end, it's all worth it I think.

 

[gonewild]

I read somewhere that pollinia can be used more than once?
Is it true? If so, how is it done since the pollinia stay on the stigma I thought?

I think you are confusing dividing the pollen into parts and using it to pollinate several different flowers with reusing the pollen after it has been used on a flower. Once you put the pollen on a flower you cant take it off and move it to another flower.

 

[gonewild]

Often I wish I had a big house in the surburb where I would have a entire extra floor dedicated for breeding. lol
I am now just thinking of making two hybrids just for the sake of satisfying ( hopefully) my taste and preference.
It's something that's been done in the past but I just don't have enough of what I want, so this motivation of remaking these and hopefully some ( or even if just one!) will turn out fitting my taste.

It sounds like hard work and lots of waiting for getting plants I want, but I get one or two good one out of so many I buy anyways so, in the end, it's all worth it I think.

That's the best possible way to get plants that you really like... design and create them yourself. And don't be in a hurry unless you know you have a time limit on life.

 

[Happypaphy7]

I think you are confusing dividing the pollen into parts and using it to pollinate several different flowers with reusing the pollen after it has been used on a flower. Once you put the pollen on a flower you cant take it off and move it to another flower.

I didn't know about that.
So how many pieces can you make out of one pillinia??

 

[Happypaphy7]

That's the best possible way to get plants that you really like... design and create them yourself. And don't be in a hurry unless you know you have a time limit on life.

That's why I started buying flasks and compots, although I have to stop now due to limited space and those little things will only get bigger taking up more space.

Certain things that I like, but I don't see offered or have easy access to, I will make.

Well, space is the only limit. lol

 

[gonewild]

I didn't know about that.
So how many pieces can you make out of one pillinia??

Personally I have only made four. But I think you could make a lot more.

 

[Happypaphy7]

So you just cut it into smaller pieces and use them?

Also, is there such thing as best time to pollinate?
For example, when flowers are fresh open, a couple of weeks old??

 

[gonewild]

So you just cut it into smaller pieces and use them?

yes

Also, is there such thing as best time to pollinate?
For example, when flowers are fresh open, a couple of weeks old??

Yes there is an optimum time. Age of flower has an effect. But the best time is not necessarily the only time. I'll let someone else advise on that part since I'm not sure about best timing for a Paph flower.

 

[Trithor]

A cool thread