Help with Catt seed pod sowing - Orchid Board

s1214215 · #8 05-05-2009, 11:04 AM

Hi Royal

I used the glove box, sterilised the media in a pressure cooker and let it sit 5 days.

Wiped the glove box out with bleach and place everything in it. After putting gloved hands in, I wiped everything except the interior of the box with a double strength mix of Dettol and water. I then sprayed the air heavily with the same mix from a misting bottle to try get any remaining particles in the air.

The seed was dry so I sterilised with 3% hydrogen peroxide. I did not use anything else as I was worried the seed would be fragile being Lepanthes and sooooo small. I used the method from Western Orchids and emptied seed still in the sterilising mix (Hydrogen peroxide) onto the agar. It breaks down to water and oxygen rapidly anyway. I sealed the jar and gently swirled the jar to spread the seed around on the agar, but not so much as to put it up the wall. I then sealed around the lid with tape.

I think that is about it. Hope this is of some help.

So far all is good with the seed I did that day and the Lepanthes plants. Sadly, my phalaenopsis got a contamination that showed the next morning - less than 15 hours. So I carefully took them out trying to avoid the contaminant, washed in sterile water and reflesked in fresh media. Fingers crossed the nasties dont come with them, but I wont hold my breath. I'd say they are for potting up.

As for pod time, I have been told watch the stem to the pod for colour change. When it turns yellow, the seed is mature in pod and can be picked. Be careful though not to let it yellow so much the pod bursts before you expect though. I did this with my Spathoglottis (Pod parent) x Phaius (pollen parent) and it popped while I was at work one day - I thought I had a week to go.. I wont make the same mistake with the Spatho x Gramatophyllum which to my surprise is half mature. Hope the seed is viable.

I hope this is of some help

Brett