I've read that you can breed a plant to death. My question is at what size is a plant deemed breedable.

I'll be curious to see what our experts have to say on this one.

when it's strong enough.
(good answer, no?)

In my experience, the larger the better. A lot of energy is expended producing seed that is diverted from growing the plant. A larger plant has much better resources and can grow and produce seed at the same time. I would want a minimum of 3 growths to start and even at that, the plant will slow down its growth. If you have multiple growing points it is much better.......With smaller plants, use them as the pollen parents onto larger plants.

Okay that all makes sense thanks for the info Bill. One more thing dose the over all size, and health of a plant affect seed viablity? Or dose this chactristic depend on the species or a particular plant?

Okay that all makes sense thanks for the info Bill. One more thing dose the over all size, and health of a plant affect seed viablity? Or dose this chactristic depend on the species or a particular plant?

According to an experienced hybridizer, he has noticed better seed production and germination when the same cross was done on the same plant when it was more mature.

I have bred on 1st bloom seedlings, but only when the first growth is mature (= 16-18" for a complex) and there is another growth at least 1/2 way mature.

Did this with plant I bought at Paph Forum in 2007, and it did slow it down, but the 2nd growth still produced a good size bloom this year. I am not going to punish it again, so this year it will only be used for pollen.

Kim

I think a plant that is not strong enough to carry a pod will abort it....that's been my experience anyway. I have also had success on first bloom seedlings but you get better results from mature plants.

I have an Eva Weigner that has carried pods for the last 2 years; 2 pods last year. The result this year is only 3 flowers on its spike instead of 4.

Dave