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Meristem culture

Discussion in 'Orchid Culture' started by xmpraedicta, Mar 13, 2020.

  1. Mar 13, 2020 #1
    xmpraedicta

    xmpraedicta Prairie angraecoid nut Supporting Member

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    Has anyone here successfully done this as a hobbyist? I suspect there are services in the US but I doubt there are in Canada. How challenging is it and can it be done?

    I have a rare monopodial species that I’m concerned has crown rot and I’m willing to go to more extraordinary measures to try and save.
     
    ezluckyfreee likes this.
  2. Mar 13, 2020 #2
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I don't have any experience and at this point don't know who is doing it.
     
  3. Mar 13, 2020 #3
    RustyExotics

    RustyExotics Nicholas - It's a terrestrial thing

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    I actually talked to some people at Carter and Holmes a few years ago about this. In short, it is very difficult and protocols and success rates vary drastically between genera. Unfortunately, I can't say much more about it. I wish you the best of luck in saving the plant!
     
  4. Mar 14, 2020 #4
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    The "crown" is the apical meristem. If it is rotting, that tissue would be unavailable for culturing anyway.

    "Massive" dosing with hormones might accelerate the formation of new growths or offshoots. I know folks are having success, rapidly "multiplying" their plants by treating them with KelpMax either every two weeks (I normally recommend monthly) at the standard 1:250 dose, or once a month at 1:125.
     
  5. Mar 15, 2020 #5
    xmpraedicta

    xmpraedicta Prairie angraecoid nut Supporting Member

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  6. Mar 17, 2020 #6
    naoki

    naoki Well-Known Member

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    Calvin, which particular species are you thinking of? Plants have many meristematic cells, but my understanding is that the difficulty of sterilization is the challenge for the exotic tissue cloning.
     
  7. Mar 17, 2020 #7
    xmpraedicta

    xmpraedicta Prairie angraecoid nut Supporting Member

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    Hi Naoki,

    It is Aerangis mooreana, which I posted about here. I tried finding pollen to no avail, and my efforts to self it failed.

    The good news is this morning I was looking at it very closely, and noticed some activity at the crown. Maybe the stalling was seasonality after-all. I will hope to keep it going until I can find a solution to propagate this plant.
     
  8. Mar 17, 2020 #8
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Contact C&C Orchids via Facebook and start slugging the KelpMax. It’ll kick it into high gear!