How Long Does Dry Media Last?

[Cntry]

I didn't know this.....

Dry Packaged Media can be stored for 8-10 weeks unrefrigerated in low humidity without potency loss. We recommend however that the dry powder medium be stored in your freezer until needed. Potent for at least 10 years as dry powder in the freezer.

Western Orchids Laboratory - "All this information comes from the Western Orchid Laboratory."


SOWING MEDIUM

[ Ideal pH usually 5.4 to 5.8 but may be lower or higher in particular for some Paph. Or Phrag. species ]

Germination of orchid seed may need to be enhanced. This can be done by including one or more of a number of common additives.
1. COCONUT WATER. This is a very useful & potent germination enhancer. We have seen it recommended at a very wide range of concentrations but find it works very well for me at 20 to 30 mL per final Litre. It has a pH about 5.5 so can be added to medium without need to readjust pH afterwards. COCONUT WATER must be obtained from fresh, unspoiled, sweet coconuts. Do not use the fluid from fermented or putrid coconuts and do use the white flesh from the coconut walls. [ freeze any excess coconut water until needed later ]
2. PINEAPPLE JUICE. This is also very potent as a germination enhancer. Again we have seen it recommended over a very wide range of concentrations but find it works very well at 25 to 60 mL, per final Liter. It is very acidic so pH must be readjusted after its addition & we recommend that you do not use it unless you have a pH meter. We have used ‘Golden Circle’ brand tinned, unsweetened, unpreserved Pineapple juice with good results.
3. NOTE THAT WHEN SEED HAS GERMINATED ON MEDIA WITH ONLY COCONUT WATER &/ OR PINEAPPLE JUICE ADDED, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO RESPREAD THE PROTOCORMS ON TO MEDIUM WITH BANANA PULP QUITE SOON AFTER GERMINATION.

Except for paphiopedilum & phragmipedium: a good germination medium is made by adding 20mI, of coconut water & 40 grams of banana pulp to make 1 liter of medium. This way both germination & protocorm growth are enhanced on the one medium. We find this suits the Cattleya alliance very well. For Paphs & Phrags just add coconut water.
4. BANANA. Banana pulp prepared by putting just ripe bananas into a blender with just a little distilled water to produce a fine even pulp is a good germination enhancer for quite a number of genera. It is used at 60grams of banana per final 1 Litre volume of medium. Bananas vary in their acidity. If possible, check pH after addition and adjust if needed. We add a small pinch of Sodium Bicarbonate [ Baking Soda ] after adding the bananas and this seems to improve the results.

It is good for germinating seeds of CYMBIDIUM, CATTLEYA, LAELIA, BRASSAVOLA, EPIDENDRUM, ENCYCLIA, SOPHRONITIS, & allied genera, ODONTOGLOSSUM, ONCIDIUM, MILTONIA, BRASSIA & allied genera, ZYGOPETALUM, ZYGONERIA, LYCASTE, MAXILLARIA & allied genera, PHALAENOPSIS, VANDA, ASCOCENDA, ASCOCENTRUM, NEOFINETTIA, SARCOCHILUS & allied genera, DENDROBIUMS [ HARD & SOFT CANE ], DOCKRILLIA & DISA [ & probably lots more ]. Banana pulp should NOT be used to germinate PAPHIOPEDILUM OR PHRAGMIPEDIUM unless you have experience to the contrary. We find banana pulp definitely retards the germination of these orchids. Best results here with coconut water added and pH generally 4.8 to 5.2 .


REPLATE MEDIUM

[ Ideal pH 5.5 to 6.4 ]
Here there are many, many variations possible. We like to keep things simple. Generally we use 60grams of banana pulp / final 1 Litre and ( rarely ) up to 100 grams/litre for hungry orchids like cymbidiums. Cooked & mashed potatoes can be substituted for banana pulp. Some growers use combinations of coconut water / banana pulp / potato water in their replate media with good success.

We suggest you start off using banana pulp on your particular orchids & experiment doing something a little different as well on a small scale & see what gives the best results. Make any changes on a very small scale only each time for best results / least disasters.