How to Hybridize Phalaenopsis

Place the two orchids being cross-pollinated on a sheet of white paper. This makes it easier to locate the anther or pollinia if dropped.

Touch the flat part of the toothpick to the mother flower's stigma so that it acquires some of the sticky fluid present on the stigma. This makes the toothpick sticky and better able to remove the pollinia from the anther.

Touch the toothpick to the anther's base on the father plant and gently lift it. This exposes the pollinia. Pollinia are masses of pollen grains molded into solid, compact structures.

Touch the pollinia with the toothpick's sticky part. Ideally, the pollinia is pulled out of the anther cap. Sometimes, the entire anther comes off. In this case, repeat the attempt to remove the pollinia, but instead while holding the anther in a moistened palm.

Carry the pollinia to the stigma of the mother plant. It may be necessary to gently push down on the lip, or lower petal, to be able to move the toothpick into position.

Monitor the mother orchid's pollinated flower. If pollination was successful, the stigma swells and encases the pollen. The flower may change color or wilt. Pollen tubes form in the stigma and ovary and the ovary begins swelling, as it becomes a seed-containing capsule. If none of these reactions occurs, repeat the pollination attempt using different flowers from each plant.