Bletilla Striata seed pod advice

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Shipping the bulbs during dormancy should also cut shipping costs.

[stefpix]

THanks -
maybe some seeds could be fun to grow. I need to cut costs... Maybe could send you a SASE?
s

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Tim

I also have a bletilla striata pod. Can you tell me how to sow them exvitro? Do they need to be stratified first? or can I grow them indoors?

There are several methods.

One is where you use the same identical soil mix you're using to grow the adult plants in and surface sow.

Place the seeds in moderate to bright indirect light.

The temperature range should be per the adult plants. No stratification needed. They germinate very rapidly.

Within 2 to 3 weeks you should have green protocorms germinate.

Do not sow the seeds in the same pot as the adult plant. You will run into problems if you need to harvest the protocorms for whatever reasons. I made the mistake of sowing the seeds with an adult plant and couldn't harvest the protocorms to continue their growth. Needless to say, I lost all the little guys.

Another way to do it is using a wet piece of paper towel or a wet piece of cardboard.

If you have several pods, you can try out which method works best for you.

No fertilization needed during the protocorm phase. But they do go dormant at the same time that the adult plant does. If this is not observed, they will die.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Sure, you may send me a SASE.

I'll find you when the seeds are ready.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You know what...

I didn't explain why Bletilla striata seeds can be sown ex-vitro.

Unlike many other orchids, the seeds to Bletilla striata actually contain a small amount of endosperm. The endosperm is the source of energy the embryo inside the seed can utilize before germination (think endosperm = yolk sac).

Only a few other orchids have seeds that contain endosperm.

[stefpix]

It may still be complicated if needs original soil from mother plant... and are protocorms small plantlets? how do you know when they require dormancy if they are dead or just dormant?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

It doesn't need original soil from the mother plant, just the same mix.

They go dormant during mid-fall.

Sorry, I took for granted that not everyone knows what a protocorm is.

A protocorm is not a real corm. It is not even a true plantlet. It's hard to describe, but I think the best way to put it is, is that a protocorm is a corm-like structure that is the basis for which the first leaves and first roots will form. Eventually, after the first leaves form and the first roots form, it becomes a true plantlet.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

One more thing...

Bletilla striata seeds are amongst one of the largest orchid seeds. When the protocorms germinate, you can actually see them without a microscope or a jeweler's loupe.

[Rosiefuture]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

One more thing...

Bletilla striata seeds are amongst one of the largest orchid seeds. When the protocorms germinate, you can actually see them without a microscope or a jeweler's loupe.

Wow Philip, you are just a mine of orchid information, thank you so much. I have just planted up a big pot of Bletilla Striata and now I know what I can do if I get pods.

Which other orchids can you sow the seed from without sterilizing etc?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Bletilla ochracea

The evergreen Disas.

Disa aurata
Disa cardinalis
Disa caulescens
Disa tripetaloides
Disa uniflora

probably:

Disa marlothii
Disa uncinata


So, really not a lot.