Cardboard Germination Experiment

[Bulbopedilum]

An "offshoot" thread from this thread over here, where it evolved into a discussion about a specific method of orchid seed germination using cardboard.

For this experiment I will be using Habenaria medusa seed.

Step one of it is preparing the cardboard by soaking them in some RO water (It hasn't rained here in quite a while). Here are 2 slices of cardboard floating on some RO water.

I'll soak them for about 3 days.

From some online pictures I saw, it looks like once I'm done I'm supposed to put the slices in some moss, please correct if this is wrong.

[Bulbopedilum]

Soaking's done, found an unused container, put some moss in it, stuck the cardboard slices in, and sprinkled the seeds (2 seedpods of Habenaria medusa, since that's what I had.). Not sure if I should seal it (should I?).

some of the seeds on the cardboard.

And now we wait... I'm guessing it'll take a few months so the seeds germinate at the start of the rain season.

[Subrosa]

Seal it to keep it moist. And it should be kept in the dark for a couple months.

[Bulbopedilum]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Seal it to keep it moist. And it should be kept in the dark for a couple months.

Q about that second part: How dark does it have to be / can it be? Can I store it in my drawer?

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by Bulbopedilum

Q about that second part: How dark does it have to be / can it be? Can I store it in my drawer?

A drawer will be fine.

[Bulbopedilum]

It has been 1 month since sowing the seeds. I decided ti check on it. I saw these white filaments everywhere, but mostly on the cardboard. Is this mold, and I have failed? Mycelia the seeds will use?



Back under the drawer it goes...

[Ray]

Probably just an adventitious mold, not something the seed will need to germinate.

[Bulbopedilum]

Originally Posted by Ray

Probably just an adventitious mold, not something the seed will need to germinate.

So are the seeds goners? Should I just throw it away?

Sorry, probably stupid questions.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by Bulbopedilum

So are the seeds goners? Should I just throw it away?

Sorry, probably stupid questions.

Generally speaking white molds are not a problem. If black mold grows, trash it.

[Bulbopedilum]

2-month check-in. I see small orange balls. Not sure what these are yet but it's hard to take a picture of them through the plastic. Seeds? Fungus on seeds?