First attempt at flasking...need some advice.

[Exo]

Hey there, I recently (in a stroke of genius or stupidity) self pollinated 2 flowers on my Cattleya percivilliana "Summit" and it was an apparent success. However....I didn't realize that the fungus that orchid seeds needed to germinate was only found in the tropics....oops.

Anyway..now I have two pods swelling, and after long hours of research and straining my poor feeble brain, I've managed to design a glovebox out of a sterilite tote...and am fairly aware of the sterilization methods, green pod ripening times, and care of the newly unflasked orchids. However, I cannot seem to grasp the complexity of orchid sowing mediums, and what kind of mediums I'm gonna need. There are so many different kinds it turns my brains to agar just looking at them! Can someone please help me out here..I'm not stupid...but I'm no melecular chemist...I just wanna find something the seeds will grow in and hopefully I can get some survivors.

As far as I know, I can probably use this stuff, but if not, let me know. KNUDSON C MODIFIED PLUS ORCHID MEDIUM - Orchid Culture - K425

Also..any critical chemicals or equipment I may not have thought of?

Thanks.

[Discus]

Have you seen tschuibuta (sp?) recent thread? I'll dig it up quickly.

---------- Post added at 12:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:36 AM ----------

Propagation tests trials and experiments.

[Exo]

Originally Posted by Discus

Have you seen tschuibuta (sp?) recent thread? I'll dig it up quickly.

---------- Post added at 12:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:36 AM ----------

Propagation tests trials and experiments.

Yeah..I've seen that.....The sheer number of things he used just confused me more!

I'm still sorting through it all trying to pick out a media/method I can use. I'm trying to go as simple as possible...a media that is premixed is probably a must for me.

[Discus]

In brief you'll need
1) sterile seed
2) sterile jars and media; the jars should have sterile vents
3) some kind of incubator/light box arrangment
4) sterile workspace
You pretty much seem to have that covered.

You may find that the protocorms do better on a different re-plate medium that the sowing medium (some orchids like one thing for germinating, another for continued growth...!).

My orchid medium book (well worth buying if this subject interests you) suggests that for Cattleyas, germination is best performed on P668 or P669; subculture to 70% O156 - higher concentrations tolerated poorly by many species. Cattleyas subject to "brown out" if maintained at high densities in mother flask. Apparently some Cattleyas are easy and others hard; hard ones listed are maxima and warsewiczii, whilst aurantiaca, aclandian and bicolor are easy. No mention of percivilliana.

Orchid Seed Germination Media: A Compendium of Formulations by Aaron J. Hicks | LibraryThing

books

If you want to know about the media, the media one is the one to get; if you want methods, get the other. I have the medium one, I've ordered the methods one; it's in the mail somewhere! Having both seems ideal!

If you struggle to find media, Aaron will sell you some; he seems very friendly when he has time to deal with email!

---------- Post added at 12:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:51 AM ----------

Incidentally, you may find Troy Meyers (or Aaron) might like some of those seeds.

[Exo]

Originally Posted by Discus

In brief you'll need
1) sterile seed
2) sterile jars and media; the jars should have sterile vents
3) some kind of incubator/light box arrangment
4) sterile workspace
You pretty much seem to have that covered.

You may find that the protocorms do better on a different re-plate medium that the sowing medium (some orchids like one thing for germinating, another for continued growth...!).

My orchid medium book (well worth buying if this subject interests you) suggests that for Cattleyas, germination is best performed on P668 or P669; subculture to 70% O156 - higher concentrations tolerated poorly by many species. Cattleyas subject to "brown out" if maintained at high densities in mother flask. Apparently some Cattleyas are easy and others hard; hard ones listed are maxima and warsewiczii, whilst aurantiaca, aclandian and bicolor are easy. No mention of percivilliana.

Orchid Seed Germination Media: A Compendium of Formulations by Aaron J. Hicks | LibraryThing

books

If you want to know about the media, the media one is the one to get; if you want methods, get the other. I have the medium one, I've ordered the methods one; it's in the mail somewhere! Having both seems ideal!

If you struggle to find media, Aaron will sell you some; he seems very friendly when he has time to deal with email!

---------- Post added at 12:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:51 AM ----------

Incidentally, you may find Troy Meyers (or Aaron) might like some of those seeds.

How would I get in touch with either of these fine gentlemen? I'm new here and I don't believe I know either of them yet.

[Wynn Dee13]

Here is Troy Meyers's site:
Flask and Established Seedling Sales, and Flasking Programs

Here is Aaron Hicks's site:
OSP

Good Luck! Both sites have great information.

[jaxorchidman]

Aaron Hicks is a great guy and I highly recommend both of his books. I would go for the 'Orchid Seed Germination' book first if you can't do both. It covers everything that you need from homemade media recipes to other topics like why put charcoal into the media, etc. Good luck and post your progress. There is another topic on here about a fume sterilization process. I have personally done both and the fumigation process is way easier and cleaner. That's just my .02