QuestionHello Mr King,
I inseminated this Phalaenopsis in March and the inseminated flower is doing very well and growing nicely, as you can see:
http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc362/littleribbons/15082011855.jpg
However, I've noticed that, even though the leaves look totally happy and healthy, the roots don't seem that healthy:
http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc362/littleribbons/15082011856.jpg
Is there anything I should do or should I wait until I collected the seeds? I assume repotting is not an option because of the 'pregnancy'?
Thank you!
Annelaure
AnswerAnnelaure, I agree that the plant and pod are doing well. Repotting should not be attempted while the plant carries the pod (and other flowers on a second spike). The potting mix may be somewhat degraded and, so, as an alternative to repotting, reduce your watering frequency to reduce the prospect for root rot until you can repot the plant.
At the risk of under-estimating your knowledge of orchid seed germination, hopefully, you understand sterile culture techniques. Orchid seeds will not germinate the way other plant seeds germinate. The most common method for orchid seed germination is to plate them on a sterile agar culture medium that contains hormones to stimulate germination. This process is done in a container called the mother flask. Mother flask germination medium can be purchased in a powder which is then mixed with sterile water and, before use, is autoclaved. When the flasks are ready for use, the seeds need to be sterilized and placed into the mother flask. Once the protocorms start to grow, it is necessary to transfer them under sterile conditions, to another flask containg a growth medium which contain growth hormones.
In the event you are unfamiliar with orchid seed culture, I'm sure you will be able to locate local experts to advise you as Holland produces many orchids for export. A good reference is the late Rebecca Tyson Northen's book on "Home Orchid Growing" which contains one of the best descriptions of orchid see culture.
