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Orchid Meristem Tissue Culture: Sterile Lab Needed, Flasking Resources, and Timeline

Question:

Saw your post on meristem media recipe. Hope for shared info. New to in vitro orchid propagation—recommend affordable websites/books for cloning techniques (meristem, root tip, node). South Florida, grow Vanda & Cattleya alliance. Want meristem clones of favorites.

Answer:

Hello Ray,

No meristem media recipe. But: not hard with right equipment/tools. Biggest hurdle: ultra-sterile work area—prevents bacteria/fungus contamination. Without sterile facility, contact nursery/orchid lab.

Resources for propagation insight (seed sowing but relevant):

Timeline: 3–5 years flask→bloom (Vanda), 5–7+ years (Cattleya).

Follow-up: Ray already visited links, joined Yahoo home tissue culture group (no responses). Asks: (1) Best tissue culture method for Vanda/Cattleya? (2) Tissue collection site? (3) Cell division in flask pre-replating? (4) Books <$150 in libraries? (5) Cattleya dormant eyes on back bulbs for tissue culture?

Follow-up Answer:

Hi Ray, surprised no Yahoo response—be patient.

#1: Don't know. #2: Usually new growths. #3: Tissue chopped tiny pre-flasking. #4: Technical books exist but unknown. #5: Believe possible but unsure.

More sites:

Hope you find info at these or Yahoo group.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, CA