Dear Aaron; Coconut is a good component for Paph. germination, but only the very young coconuts work. They have a jelly - like inside, as opposed to having coconut meat and water. I don't know what the term is called - "Baby coconuts"? I know that you can get it sometimes in Asian grocery stores or off the tree Ft. Pierce, south. I thought Paphs. dislike banana too. Good luck - Paphs. are picky germinators. REgards, Nancy
Banana is an interesting mix; it's unclear WHY there's such an influence. Some attribute it to the hormones, but I think it's the sugars. The B852 mixture from PhytoTech labs (50/50 mix of freeze-dried banana and malto-dextrin) is very effective at making germination more "comfortable" for some species at 5 grams/liter added to P668 (similar to the 1/2 strength M&S), and very good at growing on plants in replate at 21 grams/liter added (again) to P668. However, banana *may* inhibit germination of some species; I suspect that mainly paphs are affected. Use coconut for these species. Surely someone with more expertise in the subject (Alan?) will chime in! Which genera have proven problematic for you? I'd try experimentation with B852 (PhytoTech labs) on top of P668 or 1/2 MS, either singly or in conjunction with manipulation of monosaccharides (glucose at 8-12 grams/liter) or sucrose (10-15 grams/liter) if you must. Glucose strongly preferred for these terrestrials, but sucrose isn't terribly objectionable. Good luck, -AJHicks The Orchid Seedbank Chandler, AZ _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids
