Medium For Stem Propagation - Orchid Board

Mr.Green61 · #1 08-28-2008, 07:09 AM

Dear frends, prepared medium fr stem propagation is not available in my country, i have 20 phals without flowering and i want some babies plants frm thm, i have fertilizer 20-20-20 ratio, B1 in powder form, glucose and agar agar in powder form. but ppm(anti fungus) is not available. are these items are enough fr medium preparation

Undergrounder · #2 08-29-2008, 12:30 PM

You can give your mix a shot, it might work, although most mixes for stem propagation include the plant hormone BAP (Benzylaminopurine aka benzyl adenine). If you can't get BAP, see if you can find some coconut water, or even the sap of a birch tree..

But stem propagation can work simply by placing the stems horizontally on a bed of sphagnum moss or even soil... so you might as well try with what you've got.

Mr.Green61 · #3 08-29-2008, 05:35 PM

Thanks undergrounder, i have rooting powder, tht i can mix, but wht i can use as anti fungus in medium, like ppm.
If i place stem on sphagnum moss and seal in plastic bag, is it ok

Undergrounder · #4 08-30-2008, 07:14 AM

i'm not sure if rooting powder will work, rooting powder is probably a hormone called an 'auxin', whereas the hormone that's good for stem propagation is called a 'cytokin'. Auxins are good for root formation, cytokins are good for initiating new shoots...

i wouldn't worry about an anti-fungus to tell you the truth, if you plan on pressure-cooking or even microwaving the media you use, an anti-fungal isn't really necessary. By 'ppm' do you mean 'parts-per-million'?

I'm sure there would be a plant laboratory somewhere in india that could supply you with some keiki paste or something.... make some yourself, its just BAP, lanolin and paraffin oil.

Mr.Green61 · #5 08-30-2008, 08:50 AM

Thanks undergrounder, ppm i read in tissue cultre is anti fungis available in usa, it is mixed in medium to prevent fungis growth in medium, can u give me the quantities fr making keiki paste.

dudleyleroux · #6 09-28-2008, 08:27 AM

Throw in 250mg inositol (should be able to get this a health food store or pharmacy) and a vitamin tablet containing thiamine and your media should work. Coconut milk is also a good addition. There are many cytokinins and auxins that you could use. Some are more readily available than others.

I agree, good clean lab work and you shouldn't have to worry about fungicides and anti-biotics.