wetting agents, floating seed, vacuum?

[calypsogrower]

Hello,

I have a question about floating orchid seed. I am working with Calypso bulbosa and her seed floats like crazy. I am wanting to use a vacuum to help sink the seed. The vacuum should also help germination percentages and I hope eliminate the need for a wetting agent.

I have found a hand pump vacuum that can be adapted with tubes to work on a test tube. The company says the unit is designed to create a vacuum and they won't say it will HOLD a vacuum. Each pump of the handle delivers about 15 units of pressure.

In the past I sucked on the seeds in the tube and they sank! But it is too much work and too slow to do it that way. Can anyone help me with this?

I appreciate the help! The pump I am looking at has a guage option which I would get and costs about $27.00

Thank YOU! Calypsogrower

[Charles]

Remove all the air from the container and sinking will not be necessary. Try the syringe method described on these boards.
Just a thought.