********************************
The Northernmost occurring epiphytic orchid in America is Epidendrum conopseum/magnoliae. It's currently in 3rd place in the Great Epiphyte Race to Canada. But it's definitely the most cold tolerant epiphytic orchid in America.
Epi conopseum isn't the showiest orchid so I would recommend finding and/or making crosses with it. Especially with reed-stem Epidendrums.
Unlike most orchid seeds, the seeds of reed-stems have enough nutrients to germinate on their own. So you can sow the seeds pretty much like you would any succulent with very small seeds (ie Echeverias).
Moss attached to a wooden board placed diagonally in a pot in a zip lock bag. Reed seeds germinating along with Rhipsalis seeds. There's also a rhizome of Microgramma vacciniifolia.
Reed protocorms with Pyrrosia piloselloides. Medium was bark with some moss on top. Pot also in a zip lock bag.
Echinocactus grusonii VS Epidendrum secundum. The Golden Barrel cactus won this round. I guess the pumice was too large for most of the reed seeds. Pot in a cat litter bin covered in clear trash bag.
Reed seedlings with Anthurium scandens seedlings. Medium was bark with moss on top. Pots in zip lock bag.
********************************
Update: 2 Oct 2018
In July I sowed some Bletilla striata seeds that I received from Fernando. Here's a recent pic...
I also included some seeds from his Begonia thiemei and/or carolineifolia.
What other orchids can grow from seed as easily as reed-stems and Bletilla striata?
Update: 13 Oct 2018
Here are some reed-stem Epidendrums from seeds that I sowed a year ago...
Although what matters is of course the result, I am not sure whether the orchids did not sprout without the aid of a fungus. The fungi can be present in the moss. Research has shown that mycorrhizal fungi can grow in spaghnum moss. Anyway, you could also try the Japanese cardboard method, which also does not require sterilization. The orchid seeds form a symbiosis with the fungi growing on the cellulose of the cardboard. Articles describing the method are found in the Files section of the Cardboard Orchids Sowing Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/501413706908493/
ReplyDeleteOr I could email them to you. There is also a description on http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=12888.0
I don't think that it is necessary to add 'compost tea', or sugar or fertilizer or other strange things. What could be better is to add some woodland humus or half decomposed wood chips as a medium for the seedlings to continue growing on or some other soil that the particular species naturally requires, besides some perlite or lava to make the medium light and retain water: http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=12191.0
Even completely symbiotic Orchid species that lack chlorophyl can be sown simply as long as the medium resembles the woodland soil or whatever they grow in. See: [https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/09/170922090939.htm](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/09/170922090939.htm)
The article itself is available at: [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319872645_Artificial_Cultivation_System_for_Gastrodia_spp_and_Identification_of_Associated_Mycorrhizal_Fungi](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319872645_Artificial_Cultivation_System_for_Gastrodia_spp_and_Identification_of_Associated_Mycorrhizal_Fungi)
Success.
Pieter
Wonderful info, thank you. I'm using a moss method to germinate some native US orchids right now and appreciate the resources.
Delete