Propagating Eulophia using sphagnum moss

[mertyn]

Hi all,

Have just joined the forum so by way of introduction i'm based in the UK, grow a variety of Oeceoclades, Paphs, Philos, Cattleya and a selection of aroids too.

I've really wanted to try propagation and read that some terrestrial orchids are not quite so challenging so have ordered some Eulophia Petersii seeds. I've read the following instructions but was hoping for some advice on whether this is likely to work or a waste of my time.

Thanks,
Martin

Instructions:

germination instructions Eulophia petersii - orchids:
South african orchids, like Acrolophia, Ansellia, Bonatea, Ceratandra, Disa, Eulophia, Pterygodium, Satyrium, Schizochilus, Stenoglottis, Tridactyle are quite easy to germinate.

Use for sowing Spaghnum moss or aquarium sand. Boil the spaghnum moss for 15 minutes in distilled water so that all spores and fungi are killed. When using aquarium sand this is not required. Then fill the spaghnum moss in plastic pots and press it firmly. Alternatively it can be filled with aquarium sand. Then please sow the tiny orchid seeds on top of the spaghnum moss or the aquarium sand. Do not cover with spaghnum or sand.

Then put the plastic pot in a ziplock bag - with a pot size of 6 cm , a ziplock bag of size 12 x 17 cm is recommended . Fill in the ziplock bag as much destilled water, so that after the absorption of the substrate a few mm of water remain on the bottom. Then close the ziplock bag - Ready!

More watering is not required because no moisture evaporates through the ziplock bag .

Location: on the windowsill or in a small greenhouse in partial shade, daytime temperatures at about 68-77 F. The resulting micro-climate provides ideal conditions for germination.

The germination time for south african orchid seeds is about 40 - 50 days. The orchids will flower in 2 years.

[Roberta]

First, Welcome!

I haven't tried this... but there are terrestrials that supposedly can be propagated without the flasking effort. A question in my mind would be the source of seeds - there are so many "orchid seeds" for sale that aren't...The lack of any organic matter that might support mycorrhizae, I wonder. These may not be fussy about specific mycorrhizae, but I have to suspect that SOME are needed. I do grow Eulophia petersii, and I think that, assuming that the seeds are genuine and that it actually works, that the flowering estimate is 'way optimistic... I get a new growth every couple of years on a mature plant. I had mine for almost 4 years before it bloomed. In short, it grows slooowwwly. Rather like a cactus, which it resembles.

[mertyn]

Hello,

Thank you for coming back to me.

I'm not sure if i'm allowed to name suppliers on this forum but they look to be a fairly reputable German supplier - Seeds And Plants Shop Ipsa - Exotische Samen und Pflanzen - Verkauf.

I too wondered about boiling the sphagnum and the effect that would have on mycorrhizae prevalence. I also accept that the timelines are probably wildly optimistic!

My ultimate goal is to acquire a Eulophia petersii, it seems like they simply don't exist anywhere at this point. If it is possible for me to grow them via seed then that would also be a great learning experience but secondary.

[Roberta]

IF it actually works (and I think it's a very bit IF), I hope that you are young... given the growth rate that I see on my plant, I'd suspect something closer to 15 years to get a flower on Eulophia...

Some of the others that are listed (like Ansellia, Bonatea, Stenoglottis) might work in this lifetime. Disa sagittalis might work, the riparian Disas like uniflora are close to impossible to grow in general. So these genera are huge, some members will be more amenable to this type of start than others.

Once the world opens up again so that travel can happen, then you may be able to find Euph. petersii at a show, but it's still hard do find - that slow growth is a problem. The only South African nursery that I know about is Afri Orchids. They ship to Europe (don't know how that affects the UK after Brexit), so it might be worth inquiring... maybe they have seedlings.

[mertyn]

I'm young enough but not sure I want to wait 15 years regardless!

Thank you for the tip, I'm reaching out to a lot of suppliers at the moment.

I have the seeds coming so will try a variety of methods too, I've heard that sowing them on damp bark can also work.

[mertyn]

So I've received the seeds and have followed the instructions.

Will try to ensure that I update regardless of what happens.

I know the attached photos are upside down, no idea why!