Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Specific Families and Genera => Pleione and Orchidaceae => Topic started by: Maren on August 23, 2010, 06:00:55 PM

Title: Cephalanthera rubra
Post by: Maren on August 23, 2010, 06:00:55 PM
Hi,
a friend passed me some seed and I wonder if anyone out there has any experience with sowing these. In particular, which medium should I use? Your advice will be much appreciated.
Title: Re: Cephalanthera rubra
Post by: Maggi Young on August 23, 2010, 06:12:34 PM
According to this document, Maren, even Kew is having  a hard time growing this seed......
http://www.conservationevidence.com/Attachments/PDF961.pdf


If you haven't got access to micropropping facilities then I would be inclined to try sowing the seed in the pots of similar orchds and keeping my fingers well and truly crossed.

It should only take a few years to get the first leaves (if the experiment works) and ten for a flower  :-\
Title: Re: Cephalanthera rubra
Post by: Hristo on August 23, 2010, 06:35:14 PM
Look forward to seeing results.....
Title: Re: Cephalanthera rubra
Post by: Neil on August 23, 2010, 09:11:27 PM
Maren

I have found this

http://web.archive.org/web/20080430153855/http://www.med-rz.uni-sb.de/med_fak/physiol2/disa/invitro/000.htm

but all of this is for immature seeds.

also it maybe worth asking the question here http://www.orchideenkultur.net/ as some of them may have tried it.

Title: Re: Cephalanthera rubra
Post by: Maggi Young on August 23, 2010, 10:54:03 PM
That's an interesting paper, Neil, thanks!
Title: Re: Cephalanthera rubra
Post by: Maren on August 24, 2010, 04:50:56 PM
Thank you all, many interesting links. I live in hope. ;) ;)
Title: Re: Cephalanthera rubra
Post by: winwen on September 09, 2010, 08:44:28 AM
Hi Maren,

the problem with Cephalanthera rubra is not how it should be sown, but how it should be established in vivo.
It seems to rely heavily on it's endophyte-partner in nature. Although there are 1 or 2 people who had success with it, I guess that this is an orchid you will never find in commerce because of it's special needs.
It is more difficult to establish even than the most difficult Cypripediums.
BUT after it has been established, it is quite easy....
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