Habenaria Radiata 'seeds'?

[EllwoodJT]

I'm sorry for hijacking this thread. I wasn't sure where else to get the best answer. I'm new to the forum and new to orchids except for the ones you'd buy in asda of which I've been pretty successful with over the last 4 years, all growing, splitting and flowering quite well. However I wanted something a little more challenging and bought some Habenaria Radiata <seeds>!? And now the reason for joining the forum is I don't think they are the real thing and you guys would know. They're tiny segmented seeds, dark brown. I gather the egret orchid is a bulb/tuba plant. What have I bought? Penny Wart?
Thanks in advance
Ellwood
If I have bought incorrectly I'll source some bulbs on here in the section for buying.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by EllwoodJT

However I wanted something a little more challenging and bought some Habenaria Radiata <seeds>!? And now the reason for joining the forum is I don't think they are the real thing and you guys would know. They're tiny segmented seeds, dark brown. I gather the egret orchid is a bulb/tuba plant. What have I bought? Penny Wart?
Thanks in advance
Ellwood
If I have bought incorrectly I'll source some bulbs on here in the section for buying.

Not really the correct place for your post, Ellwood. Would be better to simply create a new thread elsewhere. Hopefully a moderator will create/move your post and this comment to a more suitable spot. I would think perhaps simply as a new thread in the Beginner Discussion forum would work or perhaps in the Identification forum.

Rather skeptical that what you purchased are Habenaria seeds. While I could definitely be wrong, the seeds of orchids with which I am familiar are all very small ... basically like dust specks. However, I have never seen Habenaria seeds so perhaps someone more in the know will chime in.

[camille1585]

I've moved these posts into their own thread, so that more people see your question (and it was unrelated to the thread originally posted in). When in doubt about where to post a question, you can never go wrong by starting a new thread. And if you don't know where to put it, 'beginner discussion' is fine, and a moderator can always move it elsewhere later.

[Bulbopedilum]

Almost all orchid seeds sold online are fake.
Orchid seeds are tiny, fine and look like dust, most are white (Although I dont know about Habenaria).

Yes Habenaria is a tuber plant.

Also, you need a special method for growing orchid seeds. You have to sow them in a sterile nutrient-rich agar because in nature the seeds get nutrients and energy from symbiotic fungi, the only thing in the seed in the embryo.

Plus, growing orchids from seed to adult takes a long time. It's better if you buy a Habenaria dormant tuber or a plant.

Additionally, if you are looking to try something more difficult, I suggest trying Bulbophyllums first.

[orchidsarefun]

Habenaria seeds are dust-like and you can't see if they are segmented with the naked eye.
I agree that you should buy bulbs. Now is the time as mine are sprouting outdoors.
Later in the year you can try and pollinate your own blooms.
As for the "seeds" you have. Sprinkle them on damp sphagnum and bag. Keep moss damp. See what comes up!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

If you wanted something challenging but not quite to the level of Habenaria, perhaps something like Bletilla could be a good candidate. Bletilla striata or Bletilla ochracea are somewhat easy to source. They are tuberous orchids that grow from underground fleshy rhizomes. You could also try Pleione spp. or hybrids. Just making some suggestions should growing Habenaria radiata become a bit too difficult or frustrating for the time being.

Regarding the seeds...if they aren't dust-like in appearance to the unaided eye, they are not orchid seeds. All orchid seeds are so small they look like fine dust (at the smallest) or very fine sand particles.

The seeds of Habenaria radiata should ideally be grown in a sterile bottle with some sterile nutrient agar and be kept under lights in a clean environment. There are procedures for doing this, but it is not a simple process.

Orchid seeds photo:

Harvesting Times of Orchid Seed Capsules for the Green Pod Culture Process