Equipment and material at a glance
So that sowing of orchid seeds takes a successful course, no laboratory equipment is required. The plan can succeed with the following equipment:
- Test tubes with heat-resistant stoppers
- Wire frame
- cooking pot
- Pressure cooker
- Letter scales for weighing nutrient medium powder
- Glass funnel
- Culture medium powder
- Distilled water
- Aluminum foil
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Suitable nutrient medium powder is available from specialist retailers and online shops, such as the nutrient medium P6668 from Sigma. Those who are ready to dig a little deeper opt for instant media that are tailored to the specific needs Orchid species. So the sowing medium SBL-A brings the seeds of Phalaenopsis and Vanda in swing while SBL-C is the seeds of Cattleya and Dendrobium put in a germination mood.
Instructions for the preparation of nutrient medium
All vessels and tools are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in advance. Then stir the nutrient medium powder weighed with the letter scales into the distilled water and pour the solution into the saucepan. Bring the liquid to a boil and let it simmer gently for 2 minutes. It is important to note that the solution does not foam up.
Use the glass funnel to fill the liquid nutrient medium into the test tubes and loosely put the heat-resistant stopper on. Place the culture vessels in the wire stand, put an aluminum foil cap on each glass and put everything in the pressure cooker. Fill in the minimum amount of water permitted according to the manufacturer's description and close the pressure cooker.
The water is heated to 120 degrees so that a pressure of 0.8 bar is generated. This state must be maintained for 15 minutes. Ideally, let the test tubes cool down overnight. Now screw the closures tight and label each jar. If no contamination has developed in the jar after a waiting period of 1 week, the culture medium can be used.
Tips
If the package insert indicates that the nutrient medium granulate does not contain a gelling agent, please add this. Agar-agar, which can be bought inexpensively in the supermarket, has proven itself in practice. A dosage of 6 to 7 grams per liter of water is usually appropriate.