Steps to raising orchids from seed

[Stray59]

Hey everyone!
Hope you are having a great day - it's sunny in Indianapolis and at this time of the year that is a blessing!
I have recently (within the last 8 months) been deflasking some seedlings and planting in com-pots. I have read several posts here about the process of growing from seed and as I have several seed pods to send off to be flasked I have a few questions.
I know that the initial planting of the seeds in a sterile container is the first step, but I have read about the second flasking (?) that is referred to as "plating" or something like that.
Could someone explain the basic skeleton-steps of raising from seed or direct me to a post that outlines this? I would appreciate it very much as I will be sending off the pods in a month or two and I want to know what I have to do to get them to the final flasking stage, just prior to de-flasking them into the com-pots.
Thanks ahead of time!
Steve
P.S. I probably should have posted this in the "propagation" section - sorry, my bad!

[PaphMadMan]

Re-plating is a common step in the orchids from seed process. The developing protocorms will often be too crowded in the original flask to ever develop properly, and may benefit from fresh media or a different media formula than the germination flask, so they are transferred to new flasks at spacing that will allow plants to develop.

I would encourage you to check out the website of the Orchid Seedbank Project. Possibly the single best web resource for those with an interest in growing orchids from seed.

[Rowangreen]

There's a propogation section just a bit further down the board too which has some useful stickies on flasking.

[Tim C.]

Most orchid seed sowing companies will offer a replating service for a certain fee per replate. A "replate" is what you're referring to, when the seed from the "mother flask" has reached a certain stage of growth called a "protocorm," and these protocorms need to be thinned out to grow better. The sowing medium can vary from mother flask to replate flask, as there are different chemicals and hormones required by the seed vs. the protocorm. I'd strongly recommend getting the lab you're using to replate the mother flasks for you, as replating is a difficult procedure if you're not familiar with it (and don't have a lab you can use).

Here's a skeleton seed-to-compot situation for you, assuming that the mother flask(s) has(have) been filled with medium, and is(are) ready to accept the seeds, and also assuming you're working in a totally sterile environment (laminar flow hood):
1 - Separate the dry seed from the husks of the seed pod.
2 - Sterilize the seed (using any number of chemicals).
3 - Sow the seed onto the medium in the mother flask(s).
4 - Seal the mother flask(s), and wait.

Now you wait several months for germination and protocorm development. Once the protocorms have formed, here's the next skeleton procedure (again, assuming replate medium is ready in flasks, and working in a sterile environment):
1 - Remove the protocorms from the mother flask(s).
2 - Using a replating spatula (or similar tool), separate the clumps of protocorms into smaller pieces.
3 - Sow the protocorms onto the replate medium, allowing enough room for the protocorms to develop into seedlings.
4 - Close the replate containers, and wait some more.

Once the protocorms develop into seedlings, all that's left to do is remove them from the replate flasks, and plant them in community pots.

That's about as skeleton as I can get, so sorry if it seems like much. I'd be happy to explain anything further, if you'd like. I did my senior AP Biology thesis on sowing orchids from seed, using commonly available ingredients/chemicals. Aaron Hicks - who was running the Orchid Seedbank Project at that time (1999) - was of immense help to me, so I'd definitely recommend reading up on the OSP's website, or even purchasing Aaron's book, if it's still out there somewhere.

Let me know if I can be of any more help.

-Tim

[Stray59]

Thanks everyone - PaphMadMan, Rowangreen and Tim!
I will be checking the propagation section for posts and I will also be checking the Orchid Seed Bank Project!
Tim - your skeleton steps are exactly what I wanted - just an overview of the steps involved. I appreciate the time you spent laying out the progression of the process. Very informative!
I can always count on a Board Member to answer my questions well! That's why I am here -
Thanks again
Steve