An orchid hybrid is the combination of characteristics from each of its parents. Hence, a grower first considers what kind of flower he wishes to produce. He may be looking for a certain color or stripes or spots. He may be seeking to combine those features in a plant with small flowers or large ones.
With this in mind, a grower will select orchid varieties that will endow the offspring with the desired characteristics. As an example, an orchid developer may choose to use a golden slipper orchid as one of the base species. This orchid, discovered in 1979in china, is a popular choice. It often passes on the rich yellow-gold color to the hybrid offspring, which often end up as beautiful varieties in the hybrid orchid family.
Once the grower has selected the two parent plants, the existing pollen is removed from the pod parent. This is the plant the will receive the pollen from the other plant. The plant supplying the pollen is referred to as the pollen parent. The grower will remove the pollen from the pollen parent - usually with a toothpick or similar instrument - and smear the pollen on the base of the pod parent's flower column. The plants are labeled with the names of the both parents and the pollination date.
Once fertilization occurs, if successful, the pod parent demonstrates an amazing event. Thread like tubes will extend from the column to the "ovary" of the blossom. This ovary will then swell and form a seedpod. Inside, there can be thousands of tiny seeds forming, with each one connected to an individual pollen tube.
It may take months or more than a year for the seedpod to ripen. At that point,, the grower gathers the seeds from the seedpod. He places them in a sterilized flask with a solution of agar and nutrients. If the seeds germinate, tiny orchids will soon appear like a carpet of green grass.
After several months, the grower will remove the seedlings from their tiny flask, and they will be placed in a community pot. With frequent watering, the seedlings will be carefully watched until maturity. Once they grow large enough, they will be transplanted into individual pots. This is where the patience begins. Once in an individual pot, it may take over a decade before it blooms.
Imagine the joy that comes when a grower finally sees the orchid he or she has worked so hard on to produce. If the hybrid is a new variety, the grower can choose to register is under a name of his choice. Any other hybrids that are developed after that using that species blend will be referred to by the name it was registered under.
At times, a grower finds an ideal combination that creates a sensation among orchid hobbyists. He may receive awards, and his beautiful plants will command high prices. But regardless of the monetary outcome, the pleasure of seeing a blossom on an orchid that he has crossed is a delight. Now you know that it took much time and patience to produce the beautiful orchids that you admire. - 32376
With this in mind, a grower will select orchid varieties that will endow the offspring with the desired characteristics. As an example, an orchid developer may choose to use a golden slipper orchid as one of the base species. This orchid, discovered in 1979in china, is a popular choice. It often passes on the rich yellow-gold color to the hybrid offspring, which often end up as beautiful varieties in the hybrid orchid family.
Once the grower has selected the two parent plants, the existing pollen is removed from the pod parent. This is the plant the will receive the pollen from the other plant. The plant supplying the pollen is referred to as the pollen parent. The grower will remove the pollen from the pollen parent - usually with a toothpick or similar instrument - and smear the pollen on the base of the pod parent's flower column. The plants are labeled with the names of the both parents and the pollination date.
Once fertilization occurs, if successful, the pod parent demonstrates an amazing event. Thread like tubes will extend from the column to the "ovary" of the blossom. This ovary will then swell and form a seedpod. Inside, there can be thousands of tiny seeds forming, with each one connected to an individual pollen tube.
It may take months or more than a year for the seedpod to ripen. At that point,, the grower gathers the seeds from the seedpod. He places them in a sterilized flask with a solution of agar and nutrients. If the seeds germinate, tiny orchids will soon appear like a carpet of green grass.
After several months, the grower will remove the seedlings from their tiny flask, and they will be placed in a community pot. With frequent watering, the seedlings will be carefully watched until maturity. Once they grow large enough, they will be transplanted into individual pots. This is where the patience begins. Once in an individual pot, it may take over a decade before it blooms.
Imagine the joy that comes when a grower finally sees the orchid he or she has worked so hard on to produce. If the hybrid is a new variety, the grower can choose to register is under a name of his choice. Any other hybrids that are developed after that using that species blend will be referred to by the name it was registered under.
At times, a grower finds an ideal combination that creates a sensation among orchid hobbyists. He may receive awards, and his beautiful plants will command high prices. But regardless of the monetary outcome, the pleasure of seeing a blossom on an orchid that he has crossed is a delight. Now you know that it took much time and patience to produce the beautiful orchids that you admire. - 32376
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