Seed culture and replate media for Encyclias

[Uechi]

What's the best commercially made/available culture and replate medias for Encyclias and the rest of the Cattleya Alliance? I understand that this may be a matter of opinion but some should work better than others especially for the novice.

[John D.]

Aaron Hicks reccommends Phytotechnology P668 or P669 for germination and O156 at 70% strength for replates for Cattleya. Looking at the ingredients they are the same P668 is the base, P669 has 5 grams of banana powder added (50/50 freeze dried banana, maltodextrin) O156 has 3 grams added banana powder. I use P658 (same as P668 but with agar already in it) at 80% strength for germination and add banana and potato for replates. Because I use it diluted I add enough extra agar so it will set.

[Royal]

I've ordered P668 and P669 from AJ Hicks' site. Both were complete with agar. He also sells a version of O156 that is complete with agar as well.

Western media works with Cattleya alliance too, but there are many versions to sort through.

[dudleyleroux]

I have found a modified liquid Knudson's C medium to work best. Agar medium does work, but not as well as the agitated liquid medium. Supplement the media with coconut milk to produce protocorms and avoid callus. Cattleyas also cannot use nitrates as nitrogen, so use Urea instead and they also require potassium, so add 500mg/l potassium chloride.