Mixing mychorrizzae into the soil

[Ciaochiao]

Hello all,
I’m still trying to post my original questions to this site. I’m very new and in need of help please. I have several orchid seeds that I can’t propagate using the flask method. I’m just wondering if I can grow them on soil with mycorrhizae mixed in or if I buy the mycorrhizae and mix it into the soil myself then use that as growing medium? Can anyone help me with this please? I even have monkey face orchids that I’m eager to grow. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance! And if anyone wants extra seeds, I’m most happy to share!
Regards,
Ciaochiao

[SaraJean]

Where did the seeds come from? I’m asking because a lot of people buy orchid seeds (particularly the ‘Monkey Faced Orchids’, proper name is Dracula orchids) from eBay or Amazon that are not actually orchid seeds. If they are fine, dust like particles, then they might be orchid seeds but still no guarantee on the viability.

If they are orchid seeds, here are a few links from the propagation section on the forum.

Very Easy Sterilisation Method - My Seedlings

Flasking Information

Redneck Orchid Flasking

Edit: and an AOS article on growing orchids from seed
http://www.aos.org/AOS/media/Content...OrchidSeed.pdf


This is some flasking information for doing it at home rather than sending seeds to a propagation lab. Flasking is the tried and true method for starting orchids from seed and with a little practice it can be done in a home environment. I really, really doubt putting these on soil would work. There are some people on the forum that have tried the wet cardboard method for starting seeds, but that seems to be hit and miss and is more successful for certain hardy orchid genera than others. Dracula’s don’t fall under the easy to grow category. Do you have any other orchids that you are currently growing?

[Ray]

SaraJean gave good advice.

To answer your original questions, the likelihood of your method being successful is extremely poor, as the specific fungi that infect orchid seed in nature, resulting in germination, is quite specific to the type of plant, probably hasn't been identified, and even if it was, would be difficult to obtain. Then there's the issue that epiphytic orchids don't grow in soil.

[Ciaochiao]

Hello,
Thank you for your response. I’m a scientist but it’s been many many years since I’ve been near botany classes. I thought that the mychorrizzae fungi was the correct fungus. I stand corrected. So are you saying that the only way to get my seeds to grow is by using the flask and agar method? Can you please tell me where I can get these supplies? I’m on a very restricted budget. I should have researched before buying. Is there ANY OTHER method to grow seeds aside from the flask method?

Again, thank you for your responses. I appreciate the advice.

Kind regards,
Ciaochiao

[lordkiwi]

Originally Posted by Ciaochiao

Hello,
mychorrizzae fungi was the correct fungus.

Mychorrizzea is a property of the fungus that it binds to the roots of its host plant. Some fungus bind to many types of plants other fungus bind to just a few types of plants. Products sold as Mychorrizal fungus contain sometimes dozens of fungus some bind to will bind to a greater or lesser degree to tomatos, peppers, apple trees, pears, plums etc. But no one fungus will bind with all hosts.

Also common mycorizal blends are of soil fungus and have little likely hood of being compatible with a orchid.

While you can by the proper cultures from a lab. To obtain orchid compatible fungus on a budget one would likely have to culture it from an already established orchid of the same type preferably

[Ray]

Expanding a bit on Lordkiwi's info, even if the mycorrhizae do infect the plants' roots (likely), that does not mean that they are capable of infecting the seed and pumping sugars into them.

[neophyte]

Ray is correct; many plants (including orchids) have been shown to form associations with different mycorrhizal fungus species based on their current stage in their life cycle. that being said, many orchids (especially hardy/terrestrial species) are capable of forming partnerships with many species of fungi, so it's still worth a try.

you could follow lordkiwi's suggestion of germinating seeds on/near roots of established species, but again, as Ray said, the adult plant may not have the correct fungus.

i have actually germinated spathoglottis plicata seeds using only dirt/mud and wood from my garden in a jar (for humidity) with some added mycorrhizae. the seeds germinated on damp wood. they grew very slowly. i think the reason they germinated at all was because spathoglottis is capable of forming mycorrhizal interactions with many, many species of fungus (which is why it's so invasive in tropical areas). i'm not sure if other orchid genera/species are able to do the same.

i do think you could give it a try though and see how it goes. there's no hurt trying, and mud/wood/fungus isn't very expensive...

[Ciaochiao]

Hi,

I purchased the seeds from Aliexpress and wish. I think that's about the same as Amazon and eBay. From all the responses, I understand that flashing us likely the only way to propagate My seeds. Dies anyone know where I can purchase flashing kits fairly inexpensively? I live in Canada and would prefer to purchase in country but any reliable source is also good. Thank you all for your responses and advice.

Regards,
Cc

[jcec1]

The likelihood is that the seeds you purchased will not be orchid seeds, most of these sellers are unscrupulous and package something else. Orchid seed is minute - dust like - if you have received anything bigger it will not be orchid seeds.

If in any doubt post a pic of the seeds.