Home » Plants & Animals » Orchid Gardening » Growing Orchids from Seed, are you sure you want to do this?

Growing Orchids from Seed, are you sure you want to do this?

© Linda Fortner

If you can not provide a sterile area to propagate the seeds, then don't even try to proceed. Fungus spores in the air will develop and attack the new growth as fast as it grows in a non-sterile environment. To create a sterile area, a glove box or flasking case like the one Gary Gorrange of Alta Canyon Orchid built works very well. A glove box is like a flasking case except it has rubber gloves sealed into the front of it.

Before you start, here is a list of items you will need to gather before starting the procedure. ALL ITEMS used in the flasking case MUST BE STERILE!!!
TOOLS

1. Spray bottle with 10% bleach and soap solution
2. 500ml Pyrex Beaker (for the preparation of the growth media)
3. Flasks with one hole rubber stoppers
4. Synthetic cotton (used to fill in the hole in the stoppers)
5. Labeling material ( used to note parentage of the cross)
6. Pressure cooker or autoclave
7. Razor Blades (to cut the pod open)
8. Tooth brush (for cleaning the seed pod)
9. Small syringe (for introducing water into the flasks)
10. Bamboo skewers or small sticks
11. Aluminum foil
12. A place to grow the seeds that has controlled light and temperatures. A growing room is perfect if you have one or a greenhouse where you can control the environment.

MATERIALS

1. Liquid household bleach (such as Clorox)
2. Dish washing detergent (such as Dawn)
3. Tray ( to wash seed pod in)
4. Distilled water (gallon bottle)
5. Growth media

The growth media is very important and can vary with the types of orchids you are growing. It must be mixed and prepared according to the directions. Sigma Maintenance Media P6668 is very good or there are others like it.There are many places that sells growth media. You will find several listings in the American Orchid Society magazine. Try doing a search on the Internet for additional sources. Here are two places I found:

• Germinal P from the Moral Chemical Company
  PO BOX 1167
  Engle Wood, Florida 34295
  (941) 474-5759
  

• Phyto Technology Laboratories LLC
  PO BPX 13481
  Shawnee Mission, KS 66282
  (888)749-8682
  
• Burleigh Park Orchids

You can also make your own if you want to give it a try.

Seed pods can take from 3 to 6 months to ripen depending on the type of orchid you are growing. When your seed pod is ready, have all your tools, materials, and equipment in place before you harvest your seeds. Thoroughly clean the seed pod with the bleach and soap mixture using the toothbrush. After cleansing, place the pod inside the STERILIZED case (wash the inside of the case with the bleach and soap mixture). Unless you are using a glove box, make sure your hands are sterile before using the flasking case. Remember, there are fungus spores everywhere and it only takes one to ruin all your work. Once the flasks are prepared with the media, it is important to keep them in a horizontal position so to not to disturb the mixture.