Bletilla Striata seed pod advice

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

No squirrels in my neighborhood. If I grow them where I have them now, there are no nasty surprises like what happened to the Cyp plectrochilum.

The Cyp is doing well btw, it has 3 new shoots coming up.

The plants I own do not make very many offshoots very quickly. Therefore I'm not certain if there is anything to divide.

They reproduce much faster via seed rather than asexually through vegetative means.

If I sold you one of my adult BS plants, I'd have to send them to you when they go dormant. That won't be until another month or so.

[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:)]

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.