Hello,
I started sowing my first slipperorchids.
I want to know if there are some species that need freezing temperatures to germinate. I guess cyps need those temps to germinate, but what about other sorts?

Nick

Hi

It would appear that we've missed you somehow Nick. To my knowledge there are no orchids that germinate in freezing temepratures. There are orchids (and other plants for that matter) which need environmental extremes (fire, frost, flood, digestion) to "process" or prepare the seed for germination however. What is it you're asking/planning to do?

Cheers
Stephan

Hi,
thanks for the answer!

I'm sowing some terrestrials now.
I think that when you sow for example cypripediums, you need freezing temps before germination.
In the way that you can create a fake winter. Because in nature the seed germinates when the winter is over, a spring starts.

Could it be then that the seed needs just a cooler temperature, and no freezing temperature?

Nick

Hi,
thanks for the answer!

I'm sowing some terrestrials now.
I think that when you sow for example cypripediums, you need freezing temps before germination.
In the way that you can create a fake winter. Because in nature the seed germinates when the winter is over, a spring starts.

Could it be then that the seed needs just a cooler temperature, and no freezing temperature?

Nick

Hey Nick

There are some really good Cyp experts who post in that section on a regular basis and they'd be the better people to answer that question. From what I've read germinating Cyps artificially involves not only temperature but bleach and a few weird incantations. :) If you're sowing directly in to a naked mix, rather than flask, I wouldn't count on too much success mate - but don't let me stop you because there's no Cyps, Paphs or Phrags native to Australia.

Cheers
Stephan

oh excuse me for not making myself clear,
I do sow in flasks and not on soil, that would be a bit of a waste I guess,

I hope that someone who has sown cyps with succes will answer my question!
but thanks for helping fire this thread up stephan

Nick

Sorry for the late reply, I have just seen your post.

No. Freezing temps are not needed, or recommended for Cyp seed. The household freezer is much too cold! It turns out that temperatures between 34-40F (1-4C) are sufficient for all vernalization of Cyps, seed included.

Indeed, cold temps are not always required either! In fact, not Usually. In Rassmussen's book, "Terrestrial orchids: from seed...", it indicates that Cyp acaule normally germinated sporadically for the first 12mos or something, but when given 36F (2C) for 3-5 mos, a uniform germination occured totalling 70% all at once. I have tried this and it is not always true.

Bill Steele mentioned to me once that if a flask refuses to germinate for him in a reasonable amount of time, his last resort is to put the flask in 36F (2C)for 3-5 mos, and that seems to do it sometimes.

Best,
Ross