By request - re-posting "Seed-sewing from scratch (my first try)"

[Orchid Whisperer]

I started into an experiment last year to try my hand at growing orchids from seed. I have been posting my results over on the Orchidgeeks forum for a while, but a member here (Island Girl) suggested I might want to re-post on Orchid Board.

Since some of what I posted there will be out of context here (references to names of Orchidgeeks members, for example), I will try to edit & re-post, post-by-post, so that it makes sense. Hope some may find this interesting!

[Orchid Whisperer]

I was inspired by the experiment of another member on Orchidgeeks to try my hand at growing orchids from seed. My first attempt is Cattlianthe Golden Wax x self, pollinated 12-13-12. I went with a "self" mainly because it was easy to do - I am mainly doing this for the experience of doing it, as much as possible, on my own.

Close-up of the plant from last year:



And here are some photos of the pods as they were on July 25:





I was concerned at the beginning of August 2013 whether or not the pods were ripe or not. I received the recommendation to wait a bit longer.

Rather than using a commercial seed-sowing medium, I am using a recipe found elsewhere on the web, based on agar, banana, tomato, sugar, B vitamins. I will post more on that recipe and my materials later on, but you can find the recipe and seed-sewing techniques at: How to grow orchids from seeds – kitchen style | Dokmai Dogma

Wish me luck!

[AussieVanda]