How to grow an orchid from seeds at home

Orchids are wonderful flowers and are becoming more and more popular with flower growers. In most cases, people buy a finished potted plant. Until recently, it was believed that it was almost impossible to get a beautiful flower from seeds. But technologies do not stand still, therefore, with a strong desire, this process can be carried out, although it is quite laborious and takes a lot of time. It is worth giving an answer to the question of how to grow an orchid from seeds and get a beautiful plant.

Features of growing orchids from seeds

Despite the fact that growing an orchid from seed is a rather difficult process, with the right preparation it is quite possible to achieve positive results.

A seed orchid is difficult, but possible

Preparation of planting material

The main success factor for planting an orchid is the planting material. The seeds can be purchased if desired. Many amateur flower growers prefer to independently prepare planting material.

1. Two flowering plants are needed. Pollen is carefully collected from the stamens of one. Using a brush and transfer to another.
2. After a while, it will be noticeable that the pollinated crop has begun to wither. This is normal, but the flower should not fall.
3. If all went well, the seed pod will begin to form after a couple of weeks.

Each pod contains more than a million seeds - in a culture they are incredibly small, it is almost impossible to see what an orchid seed looks like. Therefore, in most cases, seeds are still purchased from suppliers from China.

Orchid seeds have some other characteristics that make them difficult to germinate and use. First of all, they lack the nutrient layer, which is necessary for the better development of the embryo. The future sprout does not have the ability to extract nutrients directly from the soil. For the same reason, the Chinese orchid reacts sharply to any negative changes. Therefore, growing from seeds is a complex process that requires strict adherence to all conditions.

Orchid seeds are very small. Sometimes it's hard to see them

Required inventory

To germinate the seeds, you will need special glass flasks. It is allowed to use glassware for chemical reagents with a volume of 200-300 ml and a narrow neck. You can also use glass jars with hermetically sealed screw lids. Several holes with a diameter of a couple of mm are made on the lids and they are tightly plugged with cotton wool. Also, germination will require litmus papers, disposable syringes, hydrogen peroxide 2%. Regular seed pots and containers are completely unsuitable and should not even be used.

Choice of substrate

Neither ordinary soil nor special soil for orchids is suitable for growing. Some people try to germinate seeds in moss, but this material is difficult to keep sterile. It is better to choose a special nutritional mixture that includes several components:

• "Agar-agar" is a light powder with a natural composition, which, after reaction with water, turns into a jelly-like mass. It will take 10-15 g.
• Distilled water - approx. 200 ml.
• Glucose and fructose - 10 g of each substance.
• Potassium carbonate solution.
• Orthophosphoric acid.

The last two substances are used to determine the acidity of the substrate. They can be replaced with litmus tests. The optimum acidity is 4.8-5.2 pH.The recipe is quite simple to prepare the mixture:

• Agar agar is diluted in a glass of plain water. Leave for a couple of hours.
• Fructose and glucose are poured into boiling distilled water. Stir in one direction.
• Heat until the mixture is uniform and jelly-like.

After preparing the soil, you can start sowing seeds.

After a while, small shoots appear

Growing scheme at home

Before planting orchid seeds, a number of preliminary steps should be taken. First of all, sterilize all instruments, dishes and soil. The procedure is carried out for half an hour in the oven. After that, the substrate is placed in the prepared containers, closed tightly with lids. When applying soil, you need to be careful and make sure that it does not fall on the walls of the can. Otherwise, harmful bacteria may develop.

The cans are sterilized twice daily. The seeds are cleaned in a solution of bleach (10 g per 100 ml of distilled water). Planting material is left in it for 15 minutes. The jar is shaken periodically.

Sowing

Sowing seeds is much easier compared to the preparatory process. Sterility is important. With proper planting, the germination of seeds is possible after a week and a half, but in some cases this can happen only after six months.

Sowing is carried out according to the algorithm:

1. A mesh or any device on which a jar of soil is installed is fixed over a container of boiling water. The lid is left next to it.
2. The seeds are carefully removed from the solution using sterile instruments, spread over the ground, but do not touch it. The procedure is carried out as quickly as possible.
3. The containers are gently shaken to distribute the seeds more evenly, covered with lids and stored in a suitable place.

This completes the planting of the orchid. Now it is important to properly care for the seedlings.

Sowing care

After sowing, it is important to closely monitor the condition of the substrate and seeds. After a while, they will begin to sprout and the formation of small green balls will be noticeable. Then small hairs will appear on them. Further, small leaves are formed. The root system in young plants appears last. In a closed container, the seedlings remain for about a year.

After a while, the seedlings are carefully removed from the mixture with tongs. The roots are washed gently.

You can get the "kids" in another way. A small amount of distilled water is poured into the container, shaken slightly. This makes the substrate softer and more liquid. After that, the contents are carefully poured into another container and the plants are removed from it.

Sprouts may appear even after six months.

Planting sprouts in a pot

For planting small plants, it is best to use clear plastic cups. They are filled with a specially prepared substrate:

• 1 part of chopped bark of conifers, sphagnum moss and fern rhizomes;
• 10 tablets of crushed activated carbon.

Drainage is placed at the bottom of the cups, then soil is poured. Then small orchids are carefully planted in them. At first, the sprouts do not need watering. They are lightly sprayed to maintain the necessary soil moisture.

In this state, the plant needs to be grown for six months, after which it can be planted in a permanent place.

In a year, matured plants will appear in the container.

The flowering of a culture planted with seeds, in most cases, occurs only at 4-5 years.Growing an orchid from seed at home is difficult, but possible. If you wish and follow all the rules, you can get new plants that will soon delight you with beautiful flowers. It is important to remember that the culture is capricious at a young age, requires proper care, high-quality watering and lighting.