can a normal person grow orchids from seed? - Orchid Board

vanda · #1 06-20-2007, 09:59 AM

I've been reading up on flasks etc and I am wondering if I have a hope of ever suceeding at the seed thing! I have reasonably green fingers and have kept orchids for a few years, I'd like to expand in the hobby and have been thinking about growing from seed. I don't want to spend a fortune on expensive equipment that I don't really need but I'm not sure about my chances of sucess using cheep alternitives. First I'm going to try some deflasking but in the mean time I'm going to look into what I need for sowing seeds. The question is do I have a hope? What do you think?

Gin · #2 06-20-2007, 10:43 AM

Well I am not normal

have grown some great mold

There are several ways to try it, some are sucessful some not . I have a couple of pods set and will be trying again .
If not flasked the seeds will be history anyway . Go for it !

Gin

Marty · #3 06-20-2007, 10:57 AM

I believe only abnormal people can do this

newflasker · #4 06-20-2007, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marty

I believe only abnormal people can do this

Hahaha, Come on Marty. I believe only NORMAL people can do this!!!!.
Talking about a normal person can grow orchid seed or not: Sure. anybody can do it. You can grow orchid seeds like the seeds grow in nature way. Spread seeds on the wet moss. The problem is that you have less chance to have seedling because orchid seeds don't have nutrient like normal other seed. They require special fungus to provide nutrient during germinating process. However, many people have try it and success. It's better to germinate seeds in vitro (in glass bottle/flask). It depends on how seriously do you want to do with your seedling you may spend $10 to thousand dollars. If you want to learn for fun you can spend less than $10 like I did. All you need is few baby food jars (or pickle jar or whatever jars with lids), buy a commercial media (< $10). That's it. Dissolve media in water; Sterilization by cooking media in microwave, oven, or boiling water (Pasteurization). Sterilize and transfer seeds to media. You need to surf on web for information how to sterilize orchid seed and equipments, media. When you know how the sterilization work then you sow orchid seed in vitro is the same as you sow a normal seeds in nature in basic. Some good links:
http://www.kitchenculturekit.com
Lotte & Thomas Orchids

Notes: that is the basic which encourages new grower. If you want to be a master it's another story. Cheers.

Granny · #5 06-20-2007, 01:35 PM

Normal people can do it very well, as I think I'm a normal person

I did it for the first time and you can see the result on the photo.
Sorry, English is not so good.

vanda · #6 06-20-2007, 01:47 PM

Thanks, that cheers me up, sounds a bit like making jam

I'm not going to give up on the idea anyway

Tricho · #7 06-20-2007, 02:03 PM

Hi Vanda

If you can follow a recipe, than surely you can do it!

It is not a big deal to accomplish it, if you have the right information. To be a master on it, it's another story

Oscarman · #8 06-20-2007, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Granny

Normal people can do it very well, as I think I'm a normal person

I did it for the first time and you can see the result on the photo.
Sorry, English is not so good.

Nice work Granny. Look at all those little protocorms. WOW! What type of orchids are they?

newflasker · #9 06-20-2007, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Granny

Normal people can do it very well, as I think I'm a normal person

I did it for the first time and you can see the result on the photo.
Sorry, English is not so good.

I hope I am a normal person too, hihihi.

Granny · #10 06-20-2007, 05:05 PM

Hello Dave,

The orchids are Phalaenopsis hybrids. I did not think it would succeed, but as you see....