SEED: Storage and Viability

Orchid Doctor Propagation

by Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler)

Originally published in The Orchid Doctor in 1980 and 1988

Posted by Sys Admin almost 8 years ago.

Article Blog   Article Index
Seed is stored & paper packets placed in dessicator or Mason jar provided with anhydrous calcium chloride; keep in refrigerator at about 45 deg.F.; cattleya seed germinates about 75% after five to 10 years. A53-260+; A66-134

Seed of 30 listed species placed in cold storage (-10 deg.C.) after process of drying out, keep their viability up to three years. OR72-120+

Without refrigeration viability is not more than ten days in a hot climate. NH75(2)-6+

Share on Social Media:  
Log in to Add a Comment

More The Orchid Doctor Articles under the Heading Seed

Seed Comments
SEED: Cattleya How to grow a pod removed 80 days after pollination: use the usual green pod technique. A71-609 0
SEED: Cleaning The removal of chaff can be done by means of apparatus made from glass tube and rubber tubing and an air bulb to blow the chaff gently, leaving viable seed behind; illus. A63-891 0
SEED: Contaminants To render them sterile before sowing: some spores are only weakened in treatment of seed with calcium hypochlorite or hydrogen peroxide and can contaminate the flasks months later; use a solution of 4% honey in water for pre-soaking the seed for four hours at 98 deg.F., then treat them. A64-111 0
SEED: Disinfectants Calcium hypochlorite is a very reliable choice; some people prefer Clorox. A62-925 0
SEED: Dispersal by Hand in the Wild From a pod shake seed into pint jar of water, add 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon dilute fertilizer solution, 1 drop liquid detergent; place in refrigerator 24 hours; pour into bucket of water and agitate occasionally while dispersing on previously wetted trees or rocks in the open, or on suitable hosts in the greenhouse; an appropriate climate is a must. AU71-21+ 0
SEED: Dormancy Released by Refrigeration Cypripedium reginae seeds after several months of refrigeration reach high percentages of germination; for the results of the experiment refer to A87-935; Wll-292 0
SEED: Home Growth Stimulus Seed sown in places distant from their native home or habitat will still measure time and respond to it in terms of the native habitat and become active when the necessary home growth stimulus, such as a spring rain, occurs. OR77-338 0
SEED: Irradiated Use of X-rays, gamma and beta-rays on orchid seeds to produce mutants may have discouraging effects as the surviving plants may not produce recognizable or desirable ones. A59-688 0
SEED: Mailing Fold a piece of letter paper in two, cut a triangle out of it and seal one side with Scotch tape to form a cone, put the seed in, seal the opening with tape, write the names on the paper and mail. Ca81(3)-36 0
SEED: Shelf Life in a Dessicator Seed is viable up to five or six months at room temperature; at 45 deg.F. it is viable for one to several years; green pod seed is less viable. A77-314 0
SEED: Sterilization For the technical processes outlined for the treatment of Cephalanthera rubra, refer to A87-817Mature seed is commonly sterilized in saturated calcium hypochlorite, 7 grams to a liter of water, the solution stirred well and decanted before use; add 2 or 3 drops of mild househols detergent; place the solution and the seed in a vial or test tube and shake for 17 minutes; if you are doubtful about the sterility of the seed in the end, wash it again in sterile water before sowing. OBIII-275 0
SEED: Storage Directions: cut the capsule open, place seed on paper, write date and identification; let dry for about two weeks; store in small envelopes in a large jar with a six- or eight-ounce packet of silica gel; place in refrigerator. OD68-208 0
SEED: Viability Proof There is no certain method of testing except to wait after planting to see how many germinate; mature seed can be examined under a 20 power lens and if the seed is plump and an embryo (dark spot) is seen it is likely viable. F74-68 0
SEED: Viability Test By the use of tetrazolium; for an explanation and methods followed, refer to OR78-258+ 0
SEED: Viability Test by Immersion There is no published proof of testing orchid seed by immersion in chemicals; for non-orchid seed see: Proc. of the Assoc. of Official Seed Analysts, 1952, 143+ A65-721 0

New Topics

  1. Danielle Carbonneau asked question phalaenopsis, dendrochum and Odontoglossum in category Phalaenopsis
  2. Nicholas Filannino asked question Phalaenopsis William Kistler? in category General Discussion
  3. Mark Farran asked question How to open and read articles listed in category General Discussion
  4. Juliann Eckhard started topic Cattleya little susie in category Cattleya Alliance
  5. Shannon Gardea asked question NELLY ISLER in category General Discussion
Ask a Question

Start a Topic

New Comments

  1. Louis Wilson commented on member plant E. alata f. alba by Louis Wilson
  2. Julie Ellner commented on member plant Phal. amabilis var. formosanum by Vickie Seibert
  3. Julie Ellner commented on member plant Rlc. Green Dragoon 'Mendenhall' by Jeanne Uzar Hudson
  4. Danielle Carbonneau commented on member plant Ons. Catatante 'Los Roble' by Henry Shaw
  5. Barry J Silver commented on orchid Lyon. SunCoast Pink Passion
  6. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Phalaenopsis William Kistler?" by Nicholas Filannino
  7. Carol Holdren commented on orchid Colm. Eric Gabriel Heines
  8. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Cattleya little susie" by Juliann Eckhard
  9. Carol Holdren commented on member plant Bc. Morning Glory by Chris Siolo
  10. R .Benson commented on member plant Kir. New Hybrid (Fred Clarke) SVO9831 by R .Benson
  11. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Blooming Stenglottis Venus “jamboree “" by John Urey
  12. Jeanne Uzar Hudson commented on member plant Lc. Canhamiana var. coerulea 'Cobalt' by Jeanne Uzar Hudson
  13. Jeanne Uzar Hudson commented on member plant Sns. gemmata by Jeanne Uzar Hudson
  14. Stefan Neher commented on topic "Orchid roots .com site?" by Mary Lane
  15. Kevin Barry commented on member plant Bul. Tammie Sue Pernas by Tony Pernas
  16. Linda Hartman commented on member plant Ctt. Final Blue by Linda Hartman
  17. Kevin Bergeson commented on member plant Paph. rothschildianum by Kevin Bergeson
  18. Carol Holdren commented on topic "recently purchased orchid shows unstoppable roots " by David George
  19. Michael Makio commented on orchid V. Beatrice Makio
  20. Carol Holdren commented on topic "shorter stem with less vigorous blooms" by katherine mott