Growing Orchids

Orchids produce "capsules" which contain millions of microscopic seeds. These orchid seeds need mycorrhizal fungi to germinate. 

A wild orchid needs to produce millions of seeds because only a tiny fraction of the total pass from a growing orchid to a full flowering plant. The entire process can take at least 3 to 5 years, and some orchid species take 15 years from seed to growing orchid to orchid flower.

Wild Orchid

That means that growing orchids from seed is a time-consuming and exacting process. It is not normally undertaken by beginner orchid gardeners, and even those with many years of experience growing orchids avoid doing so from seed.

Specialized horticultural techniques eliminate the need for the fungi which the wild orchid requires. This technique is especially suitable for growing orchids which are rare or endangered.

A Growing Orchid

Seed capsules take about 6 months to 1 year to mature. In order for a seed to germinate it must contain an embryo, but there are many other factors that determine whether a particular seed will propagate.

The fungus that wild orchid seeds need supplies nutrients, but nutrients can also be provided by a culture medium under sterilized conditions. This culture resembles a jelly and can be used for orchid seeds and seedlings. The culture contains the necessary nutrients and sugars that are necessary for growing orchids.

This technique for growing orchids requires a sterile environment -  even the air has to be sterilized with special HEPA filters. There is also specialized equipment for maintaining temperature, air pressure, and humidity levels.

Seedlings are maintained in a "mother flask" for about 2 or 3 months before they are transferred to a richer growing medium contained in a larger vessel. The orchid seedlings grow rapidly in this environment and after a year are finally transferred to individual pots.

Many more transplants are still in store for the growing orchids, and it may be 3 to 7 years after the seeds are germinated before the growing orchid turns into a flowering plant.