Are they protocorm yet?

[doodlekitty]

Hi all! I'm hoping for some feedback from the experts out there...

This is the latest pic of my orchid "dots" (blobs) which are now growing little (I like to call them horns).

Does this look like normal development so far??

[bonsai1504]

Looks good!

[Royal]

They look great! The little spikey things are the p-corms differentiating. The little dots decide which side is up and start to develop a leaf end and root end. This is the perfect time to make a few replates.

[doodlekitty]

Thanks guys! I read conflicting info on when to replate...have even been "chastized" for not being patient...that I need to wait months......before replating. Some say to replate before root development. I'm so confused!!

[Royal]

Yeah, it's pretty confusing and lots of people speak in absolutes. It's really just like growing an orchid - what ever works for you, works for you.

What medium are you using? Many germination formulae are very "lean" and will grow p-corms - just verrryyy ssslloooowwwwly. So if you wait for roots, you'll be waiting a while. Also, germ media have other constituents that sometimes slow certain processes (like root development).

Replate or Maintainance media are richer and will grow them out faster. Try replating at different times. Just scoop out one pile and close the mother flask quickly. Kind of "flick" that pile into a fresh replate flask and spread them out as best you can. This way you can try it early and see how it goes, but also keep some in the mother flask for later, just in case.