Growing mycoheterotrophic orchids

[hypostatic]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Are you on Facebook Saka?
Cardboard Orchids Sowing Group Public Group | Facebook

waaaaaaaat.

How successful is this compared to "normal" germination techniques?

And I guess also how easy is it? lol

[Bulbopedilum]

Originally Posted by neophyte

Subrosa, just curious, why does the cardboard need to be soaked in rainwater? Would tap water work, too?

I was about to ask this question too! It hasn't rained here for quite a while, and it looks like we're going into dry season, so I doubt it'll rain. Is it because the rain water has low PPM? I have some RO water with very low PPM that I could use.

Or does it contain some minerals and things?

Could I use water from my fishpond or mineral water?

And a few more questions regarding the cardboard, does it have to be the type of cardboard that has the little "tunnels" on the side? Can I use the "cardboard" used in things such as toilet paper rolls? How about if there is ink? Will that matter?

Apologies for so many questions.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by Bulbopedilum

I was about to ask this question too! It hasn't rained here for quite a while, and it looks like we're going into dry season, so I doubt it'll rain. Is it because the rain water has low PPM? I have some RO water with very low PPM that I could use.

Or does it contain some minerals and things?

Could I use water from my fishpond or mineral water?

And a few more questions regarding the cardboard, does it have to be the type of cardboard that has the little "tunnels" on the side? Can I use the "cardboard" used in things such as toilet paper rolls? How about if there is ink? Will that matter?

Apologies for so many questions.

RO will be fine, I really can't say about fishpond water, tap water or mineral water. Any cardboard is fine as long as it isn't the glossy kind or wax coated. I don't know if ink will be an issue, but it might be wise to avoid it. Germination rates aren't as high as in vitro with most orchids I'm aware of, but that was not the case with the Gastrodia pubilabiata in the article I originally cited. However the seedlings that do form tend to much less delicate than those grown in flasks, and don't need much in the way of acclimation to "normal" conditions.

[Bulbopedilum]

Alright, got it!
"Clean" cardboard, check.
RO Water, check.
Seeds, check.
Perhaps I'll start a new thread for this little experiment.

A bit off topic, but anyone know about how long it'll take for Habenaria medusa seeds to germinate?

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by Bulbopedilum

Alright, got it!
"Clean" cardboard, check.
RO Water, check.
Seeds, check.
Perhaps I'll start a new thread for this little experiment.

A bit off topic, but anyone know about how long it'll take for Habenaria medusa seeds to germinate?

I look forward to your thread. Sorry but I have no idea on the germination time for H. medusa.

---------- Post added at 08:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:54 AM ----------

Originally Posted by hypostatic

waaaaaaaat.

How successful is this compared to "normal" germination techniques?

And I guess also how easy is it? lol

The germination rate tends to be much lower, but the seedlings produced are much tougher and don't require the careful acclimation to "normal" conditions that flask grown seedlings do. There's a bit of work regarding dark and light periods, and temperatures. It would be best to join the FB group and speak to people about the specific techniques they use on specific species.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Very very interesting here.

[Bulbopedilum]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

I look forward to your thread. Sorry but I have no idea on the germination time for H. medusa.

Here it is:
Cardboard Germination Experiment
All updates and details will go on that thread.

[Afid]

Woah this is kind of revolutionary, especially if it works on Gastrodia, which could probably be farmed for use in traditional medicine instead of taken from the wild (which can be very destructive to the population).

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by Afid

Woah this is kind of revolutionary, especially if it works on Gastrodia, which could probably be farmed for use in traditional medicine instead of taken from the wild (which can be very destructive to the population).

I wasn't aware of that use for the plants, but it could certainly explain why the species was chosen for this experiment.

[neophyte]

Just wondering, is it necessary to keep the containers sealed the whole time? Or can you periodically open them and check for any growth?