Content
- Prepare a growing medium for sowing orchid seeds - this is how it works
- Equipment and material at a glance
- Instructions for the preparation of nutrient medium
- Tips
Orchid seeds should be grown on specialized medium from specialist retailers
Prepare a growing medium for sowing orchid seeds - this is how it works
In order for the seeds of orchids to germinate, they are dependent on a special symbiosis fungus. Since symbiotic seeding under sterile conditions is laborious and delicate, simple alternatives have been researched. The result was asymbiotic seeding, with a nutrient medium replacing the mycorrhizal fungus. How to prepare this medium for sowing, we explain here.
Equipment and material at a glance
In order for the planting of orchid seeds to be successful, no laboratory equipment is required. With the following equipment the plan can succeed:
Suitable culture medium powder is available from specialist shops and online shops, such as the culture medium P6668 from Sigma. Those who are prepared to dig deeper into their pockets opt for instant media that are tailored to the particular type of orchid. SBL-A, for example, boosts the seeds of Phalaenopsis and Vanda while SBL-C boosts the seeds of Cattleya and Dendrobium.
Instructions for the preparation of nutrient medium
All vessels and tools are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in advance. Then stir the nutrient soil powder weighed with the letter scale into the distilled water and fill the solution into the saucepan. Bring the liquid to a boil and simmer gently for 2 minutes. It is important to note that the solution does not foam.
Using the glass funnel, fill the liquid medium into the test tubes and loosen the heat-resistant plug. Put the culture jars in the wire rack, cap each jar with aluminum foil and place everything in the pressure cooker. Fill in the minimum amount of water allowed by the manufacturer's description and close the pressure cooker.
The water is heated to 120 degrees to generate a pressure of 0.8 bar. This condition is to be maintained for 15 minutes. Ideally, let the test tubes cool overnight. Now screw the caps tight and label each jar. If after a waiting period of 1 week no contamination has developed in the glass, the medium can be used.
Tips
If the package leaflet indicates that the culture medium contains no gelling agent, please add it. Agar-agar, which is cheap to buy in supermarkets, has proven itself well in practice. A dosage of 6 to 7 grams per liter of water is usually appropriate.