Cephalanthera rubra

[Maren]

Hi,
a friend passed me some seed and I wonder if anyone out there has any experience with sowing these. In particular, which medium should I use? Your advice will be much appreciated.

[Maggi Young]

According to this document, Maren, even Kew is having  a hard time growing this seed......
http://www.conservationevidence.com/Attachments/PDF961.pdf


If you haven't got access to micropropping facilities then I would be inclined to try sowing the seed in the pots of similar orchds and keeping my fingers well and truly crossed.

It should only take a few years to get the first leaves (if the experiment works) and ten for a flower 

[Hristo]

Look forward to seeing results.....

[Neil]

Maren

I have found this

http://web.archive.org/web/20080430153855/http://www.med-rz.uni-sb.de/med_fak/physiol2/disa/invitro/000.htm

but all of this is for immature seeds.

also it maybe worth asking the question here http://www.orchideenkultur.net/ as some of them may have tried it.

[Maggi Young]

That's an interesting paper, Neil, thanks!

[Maren]

Thank you all, many interesting links. I live in hope.

[winwen]

Hi Maren,

the problem with Cephalanthera rubra is not how it should be sown, but how it should be established in vivo.
It seems to rely heavily on it's endophyte-partner in nature. Although there are 1 or 2 people who had success with it, I guess that this is an orchid you will never find in commerce because of it's special needs.
It is more difficult to establish even than the most difficult Cypripediums.
BUT after it has been established, it is quite easy....