Growing orchids from seed using a mycorrhizal soil supplement??
 

i was just wondering if it could be possible to germinate orchid seeds without flasking in a soil supplented with mycorrhizal powder from the garden center?

Yes it is possible, and I think they was an AOS article on this as well. But as to the details, I have no idea.

I have read an article where the seed was grown at the base of the mother plant that would supposedly have some of the required mycorrhizal bacteria around it. It may have been an AOS article but can't say for sure.

I think that that was how it was done a hundred years ago before the techniques for sowing on agar were developed. I imagine that the yield was abysmal.

thanks for the reply's everyone :) i think im going to try it myself. i will post my results once i have some does anyone have any suggestions for the germination temperature/lighting/medium etc???? i was thinking of growing them in vermiculite supplemented with a very very dilute fertilizer to feed the mycelium how well do you think this would work? i already have tissue culture supplies so im mostly just doing this for fun out of curiosity :)

Well, the article wasn't referring to 100 years ago, but I'm sure it wouldn't work anywhere near as well as the usual methods. On the other hand, that's pretty much how they grow in the wild!

the fact that thats how they grow in the wild is what has me trying this in the first place :) even if the germination rates are low its not like orchids have a shortage of seeds so i figure i dont have much to lose :)

The fungi used in commercial mycorrhizae products are generally not orchid symbionts. You'd have better (albeit still poor) luck germinating them either in the parent plant's pot or in association with the parent's roots eg the Turkish towel method.

ok thanks :) do you know the name of the specific fungus needed and i cant seem to find the turkish towel method anywhere if someone could point me to it it would be greatly appreciated
Best regards,
klauts

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...lasking-6.html

There is some reference to the Turkish Towel method here. I didn't know what it was either. This whole thread may be of interest to you!