Very Easy Sterilisation Method - My Seedlings

[NatalieS]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Protocorms can be very slow to grow after germination. Depending on your medi, you may need to replate into something most suited for growing. What sort of light and temp are the flasks getting? They do great under fluorescent lights, temp around 22-24C for ideal growth.

It might very well be that they are just not getting the ideal growing conditions. I don't have the space for a grow-box or even anywhere to fit fluorescent lights, so the flasks are just sitting in the kitchen very near to a south-east facing window. Temps range between 20 and 23C.

As you predicted Camille, my Miltonia spectabilis moreliana has gotten bigger quite quickly so I'll have to move it from my mini greenhouse soon - then I'll move the flasks to there and see if it encourages any more growth.

[camille1585]

The light and temp they get now sounds good. Of course they may be doing just fine as it is when you consider that most seedlings stay in a flask for well over a year, so you shouldn't expect them to grow all that fast! I think that if they are staying green and are growing (taking a pic at regular intervals helps to judge)

[orchidsarefun]

Originally Posted by NatalieS

They are still just very tiny and green. I had absolutely no contamination though. It might be that my home-made media just doesn't have the right mix of nutrients etc. for the seeds/protocorms to develop properly. I don't know how they should look after only two and a bit months though.

I did a cross with two of my phal hybrids to try to get some seed of my own to experiment with. The pod has been developing for a few months now and this morning I noticed it had turned yellow and was starting to split underneath so I quickly removed it and put it in a container. It seems a bit early for this to have happened so I hope it simply hasn't aborted the pod. Anyway, if it looks like there is some seed I will be experimenting with sowing again this weekend. Fun fun fun!

Thanks.....and GL on the phal. The oldest unripe phal capsules I have are from mid-December, I am watching them carefully. As for your dens, you could try replating a couple into a commercial mix if you are wary of lack of growth?
I don't know if you have seen this site....
Lotte & Thomas Orchids

Roby's method is novel....and I just may try it. The more people that push the envelope, the better

[camille1585]

I will be trying Roby's method soon. If many of are successful with it, it will make home flasking accessible to many more people!

[Call_Me_Bob]

Good luck Camille!

I had contamination in some of mine. Some are fine though. No growth yet though.

How much light should they get?

I'm worried about when I have to reflask them, assuming they grow. I don't know where to get a glove box!

[camille1585]

The info on flask care (light temp) I got from a book on flasking from the library. I'd have to look at it again.

You could try to make a glove box with a plastic storage container. Cut 2 holes in the side, attach a plastic sleeve on each and then a rubber glove. And voila!
I'm going to flask 2 different ways: some seed at home with Roby's method, and some at work using the autoclave and the laminar flow cabinet, and store the flasks in our climate cabinets.

[jaxorchidman]

I flasked some dendrobium seed back in February. They are now about 1/16 inches tall and have their first set of tiny leaves. I'll post some pics here soon. Maybe tomorrow. I'm really excited about using this technique and plan on using it soon with some Cattleya seeds from a cross I made last December.

[NatalieS]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

Thanks.....and GL on the phal. The oldest unripe phal capsules I have are from mid-December, I am watching them carefully. As for your dens, you could try replating a couple into a commercial mix if you are wary of lack of growth?
I don't know if you have seen this site....
Lotte & Thomas Orchids

Roby's method is novel....and I just may try it. The more people that push the envelope, the better

Cheers - I do already have that link in my bookmarks. I think I'll give them a month or two more and if I don't see much more growth I'll start planning a replate.

[NatalieS]

Unfortunately my bellatulum seeds didn't go far beyond germination. I think I was not maintaining the correct conditions. I am however pleased to report successful germination of some bulbo orectopetalum seeds which I have subsequently replated. All using Roby's vapour sterlisation method. They're about three to four months old now.

[Susie11]

Wow, well done that is really cool!!