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Stem propagation of Phals


Question
QUESTION: Hi... I'm going to start the stem propagation of phals... I have access to a good lab and greenhouse... I wanted to know how long does it take for a regular phal stem to reach flowering size (in normal/good conditions)... Thanks...

ANSWER: Mohsen, the length it takes for a flower spike to fully elongate varies from 1 to 2 months. You will want maximum elongation (which is when buds beging to form) to produce the maximum number of nodes containing the meristemmatic tissue.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Oh forgive me because of the unclarity of my question... What I meant by "Regular phal stem" was "The piece of stem sitting in the propagation media"... How long does it take for THAT to reach flowering size?...

Answer
Mohsen, a great deal depends upon which culture medium you use and whether you use the replate step.  As you know, the "mother flask" contains hormones that promote germination.   When the protocorms have grown from the meristemmatic tissue, hormones are used in the mother flask to cause the protocorms to differentiate into leaves and roots.  A separate medium, often referred to as a replate medium, is placed into separate flasks and the planlets are transferred under sterile conditions from the mother flask to the replate flask. The purpose of the replate medium is to promote growth.  If all goes well, phals can be planted to community pots after 6 months in flask and can bloom in 3 years out of flask.

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