Help! My first orchid, a phalaenopsis, has rot!

[Daethen]

Phillip, I didn't mean to imply that you could sow the seeds just anywhere and expect them to grow, but we humans usually try to complicate things as much as we can. If they can manage to survive in nature, then sterile is more for us than them and so that we don't cross contaminate things.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Daethen

...but we humans usually try to complicate things as much as we can.

In the context of orchid seeds, the complication doesn't necessarily come from humans. They're actually presented by the nature of some of the seeds themselves.

There are a few orchids that you can sow the seeds to without a whole lot of complicated methods, no matter what part of the world you're in, in relation to the orchid's place of origin (as long as certain basic criteria for the orchid seeds to germinate are met, of course).

But in reality the "asymbiotic in-vitro method" you're referring to is ironically a "simpler" method of sowing orchid seeds compared to the "symbiotic in-vitro method".

The "symbiotic in-vitro method" uses the orchid's mycorrhizal fungi (mychorrhizae = "fungus root" in Latin; referring to the symbiotic fungi that infect the roots of plants that aid in the plant's efficient uptake of water and nutrients from their environment) to germinate the seeds, btw.

Originally Posted by Daethen

If they can manage to survive in nature, then sterile is more for us than them and so that we don't cross contaminate things.

This statement is true to a certain degree.

Yes, in reality, orchid seeds don't need a sterile environment to germinate.

But the fact of the matter is, in cultivation, sowing most orchid seeds that aren't native to your country must be done in-vitro. And like I said, the "simpler" and more efficient method is the "asymbiotic method". In order for the "asymbiotic method" to work - yes, the environment must be sterile for better control over germination, and to prevent contamination of microbes that could kill and/or don't aid in the germination of the orchid seeds.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I'll give you some simple examples of the complications that plant seeds can present to those who are trying to sow them.


Some seeds of certain plants need to be exposed to a specific chemical in smoke to germinate.

Other seeds need to be exposed to a lot of water to simulate heavy rains in order to germinate.

Still others need a cold then warm cycle in order for them to germinate.

There are also seeds that will only germinate during certain season(s) of the year.

These issues, are not isolated to just orchid seeds. Other plants have these issues too.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

As far as whether orchids are hardy...

Yes they are hardy, given that they aren't exposed to an environment that they cannot handle.


Realized the orchid seed thing went on a tangent.

[Daethen]

Phillip, I actually didn't mind the tangent. Learned a few things that way. I would love to be able to flask babies, but I just don't have the knowledge and the set up.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Most home growers do what's called home tissue culture, or kitchen tissue culture.

Home Tissue Culture* Group

This website should get you started.

There are also books on the matter, but some can get very technical and be full of jargon. Then there's the expense of some of these books.

[nicolaluna]

Hi all,

What a community! Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful responses, I can tell how much you love your orchids! It's very encouraging.

So I followed all the advice, except for one thing- I was extremely sleepy. I took out the scissors and a lighter, and then forgot to do the actual sterilizing. I hope this will be ok; I guess the only thing to do is wait.

I found a few mushy brown roots which pulled off easily, and some leathery white ones which I clipped off. Most of them were green, and there are a lot of slightly leathery ones. Not sure how it can be both too moist (ergo the bugs) and too dry (ergo the leathery roots.)

I haven't been able to find any clear indication online of what the brown bugs are... anyone have a clue? They're extremely tiny, rust brown, move around relatively quickly, squish easily, and seem to be about the size and shape of this comma ,

Thanks again to all. I can't claim responsibility for the beauty of the orchid in the photos, but the colors are unique and I thought some of you might like to see! (The shoddy cell phone cam doesn't capture the shiny white striped petals, but captures the bright colors at least.)

N.