Growing Orchids from seed

[ellen&dan]

Hi there, just wondering if anyone had read Growing Orchids from seed. And if so have they given it a try and had any sucsess.

[Anthony Darby]

Haven't seen that thread so can't comment.

[Maggi Young]

Do you mean this book from Kew Books?

Growing Orchids from Seed
 Author(s) Philip Seaton & Margaret Ramsay  
 Publisher Kew Publishing, 2005  
 Description  Written for the amateur and the professional without access to sophisticated laboratory equipment and chemicals, 'Growing Orchids from Seed' contains all you need to know to become an expert!
Careful guidelines are given for buying and making equipment, pollinating orchid flowers, harvesting and storing seed, successful germination, transplanting seedlings, and growing them on to healthy plants.

88pp. 193x240mm. Fully illustrated in colour. Landscape format hardback.

ISBN 1842460919


??

http://www.kewbooks.com/asps/ShowDetails.asp?id=285
BTW, I have not read it.

[ellen&dan]

Hi Maggi, thats the one, just wondering has anyone read it? thanks Dan

[Giles]

I've got the book - it's very good.
I've also raised them from seed.
Some species are easier than others.
Ready made media are available from several suppliers.(Ratcliffes springs to mind). http://ratcliffeorchids.co.uk/default.aspx
If you want 'advanced' guidance, I would also suggest 'Orchid Seed Germination Media: A Compendium of Formulations' by Aaron Hicks, and
'Asymbiotic Technique of Orchid Seed Germination' also by Aaron Hicks. Both books are only available from 'The Orchid Seedbank Project'
http://members.cox.net/ahicks51/osp/
There's lots to download on the website, and you can get seed from them too.
The Hardy Orchid Society (I think) is doing a seed raising session sometime soon.

[ellen&dan]

Thanks Giles, food for thought there, cheers Dan

[derekb]

I have the book and used it to help germinate Disa seeds but have not tried any others.
I think it gives you all the information you need to get started, but Disa seeds will germinate on moss out in the open so my trial even though it was a success was not a good one for the more difficult Orchids but at least I germinate them without fungus in the flasks

[ellen&dan]

Thanks for the info. Just wondering what orchids you have grown from seed giles.

[Giles]

Paphiopedilums, Dan.
Things are generally better worked out for the 'commercial' large volume tropical species/cultivars which are produced in quantity.
Some of the hardy species rely more on muck and magic (potato extract/pineapple juice/coconut milk etc ).
I think things are reasonably sorted for Pleiones too - but I have no personal experience with these.
It's too easy to think 'it's all too complicated' and not give it a go.
I would get the book (or borrow it from the RHS) and try something simple on the kitchen table at home.
When you've got your confidence up, try something a bit more difficult.
It's enormously satisfying when it works.