Cleisostoma arietinum - Need help!

[Lindylou]

I'm completely new at this, growing orchids, in practice.
Theory not so new. I have a general Idea and it's all pretty much common sense where you consider where the various flowers grow.
What I THINK I know about this plant is that it grows on rocks and probably trees too (Feel free to correct me).
I know that to germinate it, it needs a sort of symbiotic fungus.
I have a box to germinate it in and some sort of orchid stuff that our friend brought over as well. He said it will take quite a bit of time to actually germinate.

And that's where it ends.

I realize this probably isn't the best species for a newbie. But I'm a smart newbie, I learn fast and I know I can get this to grow...I just need a bit of help.

Lets start at the beginning and worry about the other stuff later. How do I germinate the seeds.

If you have additional details that I'll need in the future... that would be awesome too. Like where I should put it (we have east and west facing windows but no window in our bathroom).

[kiwiorchids]

Lindy, dont bother with seed propagation. leave it to the experts. Not sure about the Cleisostoma, but with most, germination rates are 0.001% or something like that. as a novice, you will probably muck it up in some way (dont worry, im not trying for that reason)
and be dissapointed. Usually, orchids can take up to 15 years depending on the species to flower, so yea.......just buy some plants and build upon them like most of us have. it is the most efficient way and you actually get to see the flower in most cases.

[Lindylou]

You shouldn't be such a Negative Nellie. It's not about the flower for me, its about the challenge. The Challenge to take something difficult and frustrating and either totally bomb or create something beautiful. I mean really the worst that can happen if I try is I fail and I eventually go dig up some lady slippers (local Orchid in the area) and grow those. If I don't try I'll spend forever wondering what would have become...and if I could ever do it.
Besides it's not like I bought the seeds, they were a gift and I feel like I owe it to my friend to at least give it a shot.

On a Side note I've contacted a local orchid society and the president recommended I just get some petri dishes and Agar to germinate them. It seemed the simplest Idea.

[ang709]

It's not about the flower for me, its about the challenge. The Challenge to take something difficult and frustrating and either totally bomb or create something beautiful.

I think I can relate to you. I also like to challenge myself by trying new things. I take pride in what I'm able to accomplish, and I find the journey or process fascinating.
I don't know if you've been able to look up any of the threads on this site about flasking, but they have some very good info and are definitely worth looking up.
I tried flasking once. Though I ended up with mold rather than protocorms, I do not regret trying. I feel I learned a lot.

I ordered my agar online (I don't think any of the stores around here would know what it is either). While orchids may need a symbiotic fungus to germinate in the wild, you won't need them for flasking. Oh, and my attempt taught me that you can not possibly be too sterile while flasking.

Keep us updated as to what you're learning and how the process is going for you.

[kiwiorchids]

yea, agar and jars, not petri dishes, they are too thin, and wont allow the room for growth upwards. it needs to be completely sterile, and i have heard of some mixtures with agar and banana skins, there is a thread somewhere on how to make it. straight agar wont be enough. the reason it needs to be completely sterile process is certain fungus and bacterium can get in and destroy the seeds (which as you know are almost microscopic). im not even sure you would need the fungus in there too. but im still not sure about this.....

heres an idea, save half the seeds, and if your experiment goes awry, take the other half to a local lab or a member of the local OS who grows from seed. i wouldnt use all of them.

[Lindylou]

Using half, not all was kinda what I had in mind.
The whole, never put all your eggs in one basket proverb. I have a couple of Jars and even a box with a really nice air tight seal that I can use if that's the case then, and there's always various tapes too.
It's going to be a while before the agar gets shipped here, since all the stores we talked to (botanical or otherwise) were just like "....whats that".