baby orchids - seed germination

[doodlekitty]

Hi grumpy...

I'm a "first-timer" too....and I purchased my medium...but I don't think I can say where....I'll pm you.

[Becky15349]

Nice job!! you definitely have bunches of "cell tumors" or baby plants, I've seen plates like this before.

You must've put a TON of seeds on this plate, but that's ok...you're doing well so far. I think since what you are doing right now is working, don't change it...just go with the flow.

Let them grow, and get larger. Its just easier to deal with them when they are larger and have more stored energy. Keep us updated, but don't touch these guys for a few months...I'd be looking for small leaves to develop, very small. They are delicate, so just keep on doing what you're doing, and all will be well

[doodlekitty]

Thank you so much for the encouragement Becky!! I watch them every day....(though I must admit its very hard to see any detail without my glasses and magnifying glass)....I'm still not able to capture detail with my camera. There is definitely something that looks like a stem or maybe root growing....but its on the top. Does it matter that these (are they protocorm yet?) are down in the media?

[Piper]

Doodle, you need to buckle up and wait this out. Germinating flasks is a looooong process!

You don't replate them until you have to - that is, until they're so crowded they're not getting enough media. That could take 6-9 months. You don't want to mess with them until you absolutely have to, because they're so fragile at this stage.

Aaron Tester and I plated out a Catt cross I'd made and the babies were doing fine for the better part of a year. When I was thinking we were getting close to replating, they suddenly "browned out". That's how Aaron described it (he kept the flasks). I'm still not sure what changed in their culture, but I was bummed to lose 7 flasks of a new cross.

Yours are looking good - I wish them happy growth!

McJulie

[doodlekitty]

Hey McJulie! Long time to see!!

I remember that endeavor (or reading about it anyway).
I should have just gotten pregnant and had another baby....it would be a lot faster!!!

[Piper]

That would be faster, Doodle, but probably more painful!

I hope my post didn't dampen your spirits. But it seemed like you were posting nearly daily asking how the babies looked. LOL, you'll make yourself crazy that way.

They look green and healthy, and let's hope they stay that way!

McJulie

[mnoor]

Congrats doodlekitty.

Wow, interesting and so motivating.

I have tried to pollinate some phals and dendrobiums, but still not successful.

[GrumpyBear]

thanks for the pm, and good luck waiting these little guys out

[doodlekitty]

Well I have a pic of some "horny" protocorm.......(don't pay any attention, McJulie)

I believe these little puppies are growing horns!!!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

That is so cool! Thanks for the update.

Cheers,
BD