IN which type of orchids the germination on bark doesn't work?!

[orchid_lord]

IN which type of orchids the germination on bark doesn't work?! In which types it worked successfully?

[Aniko]

I've just got the information from Bogdan that the bark available at your location is for landscaping.This for sure will kill your orchid.You should find something else.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

If we are talking about germination of orchid seed, none. In nature, orchid seed germinates in moss, not on bark. No moss, no germination. This is because orchid seed has no food reservoir within the seed, and depends on the moss to provide it with sugar to grow. This is why, when orchid seed is grown in a sterile flask on agar, the agar contains sugar.

[Vincent]

Actually, it's not unheard of, even though it's not a reliable method. You can read about some limited success with it on this English version of a German web page:

http://www.orchideenvermehrung.at/cg...bark/index.htm

[ycwee]

If you look carefully, you can see the are natural moss growing on the surface of the bark. Hey moss grows on bark, right. In my opinion, I think we could grow natural moss on bark to germinate orchid seed. I have not tried, but I will try. It is the most original and natural orchid seed germination.

[orchid_lord]

So I go in the forest and take some bark with moss on it... I suppose it mustn't be worked aseptically, because there is no food for the bacterias.. right?

[agarrat]

PPL it is not as simple as moss on bark...different plant species interact with a particular type of moss.

[orchid_lord]

The question to the point: Can the phal seeds grow on a piece of bark covered with moss, taken from the wood? What do you think... (I must know it quickly, before the seed capsule will open ) .

[Vincent]

I think the moss aids in germination and development indirectly by holding moisture and helping to maintain conditions suitable for the Rhizoctonia fungus, which is what feeds the protocorms. Here's some more information:

http://www.si.edu/harcourt/h_si/gard...s/propagat.htm

[Aniko]

A QUOTE from:http://www.myorchids.de/main1.htm

French scientist Noel Bernard. In May 1899 he discovered, under a log in a forest, germinating orchid seeds. Bernard realized that the seedlings contain mycorrhizal fungi and depend on them for nutrition. In the following years until his early death in 1911, Bernard germinated the seeds of many orchid species and conducted numerous experiments. He discovered that the relationship is specific and only certain fungi are able to stimulate the growth of seedlings. For example the neotropical epiphytic orchid Cattleya will form a mycorrhiza with a fungus originating from Cattleya but when combined with a fungus from Phaleonopsis or Odontoglossum, either the fungus infects and kills the orchid or the fungus infects the orchid but becomes killed by reactions of the host plant cells and seedlings do not develop further.

[Vincent]

I guess this would be another reason why such a tiny percentage of all the orchid seeds dispersed in the natural habitat are able to germinate and develop.

[orchid_lord]

Conclusion: I'll put the seeds into honey(it has sugar) and maybe they will germinate .(and it's also much easier than using agar:|)

[janet_a]

i wouldn't do that. the orchid protocorms feed off the fungi; the fungi feed off the sugars in the growing medium. and you'll have every ant within 50 miles coming to nibble on your culture dish.

you may also want to just try damp sphag into which you've put a pinch of bark or other medium from an established orchid pot, in the hopes it has the fungus on it.

also, different kinds of orchids like to eat different kinds of fungus so it's tough. (in other words, what Aniko said above.)

but it's certainly worth a try at least once.

[Fabolusus]

Putting them in honey will most certainly destroy them. What exactly are you hoping to accomplish? If you are trying to duplicate a plant, you should try initiating a keiki. If you have successfully pollinated a plant with the purpose of hybridization, then get ready for a 5-6 year project. You could buy a germination kit http://orchidsource.com/GB_catalog.html

[fred]

Fabolusus

thank you for the link

most helpful

[orchid_lord]

I prefer the honey method =)). That link is beyond my iq level.

[pikevi]

I think honey is a good preservative

May not be useful as a growing medium

[orchid_lord]

At least there are no fungi... . If it's such a good preservative i'll mix it with water . But one part of the seeds I'll put on the mother's plant roots . It might just work.

[pikevi]

It just may work

But be sure to keep the concentration of sugar to less than 10% in the solution or osmosis may destroy the seeds.

May be some one more experienced can tell you how to make the right dilution.

Good luck

[BlakeeBoo]

Originally Posted by Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

If we are talking about germination of orchid seed, none. In nature, orchid seed germinates in moss, not on bark. No moss, no germination. This is because orchid seed has no food reservoir within the seed, and depends on the moss to provide it with sugar to grow. This is why, when orchid seed is grown in a sterile flask on agar, the agar contains sugar.

actually orchid seeds depend on certain bacterias to make them germinate and you can germinate some species on bark

[tom499]

Safest bet is sending them to a