Short viability problems

From: Rogan Roth (roth@botany.unp.ac.za)
Date: Thu Nov 20 1997 - 23:43:32 PST 

Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 09:43:32 +0200
From: Rogan Roth <roth@botany.unp.ac.za>
To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com
Message-Id: <aabcdefg4463$foo@default>
Subject: Short viability problems

Dear Group,

Okay, don't fall over backwards when you read this as it has been some
time (years?) since I made a contribution to the group as a whole! :-)

I have been experimenting lately with different techniques of packaging
short viability seeds so that they arrive at their destination in a fit state
for germination. The technique that seems to work the best is as
follows:

1. Sterilize small plastic packets (zip-lock bags, etc.) containing a small
quantity of damp, good quality peat by steaming in a pressure cooker on
two or three consecutive days and allowing the temperature to return to
normal for a period in between - i.e. pasteurization (tyndalization).

2. Collect seedpods from the plants just before they are ready to open
and surface sterilize them with 95% ethyl alcohol (available at any
chemist store).

3. Find an area of the kitchen that is free of airborne contaminants such
as dust, spores, etc. (or over a flat, wide container of gently boiling
water) and cut the seedpod open with a scalpel or other small, sharp
blade that has been briefly flamed.

4. Gently transfer a few of the seeds onto the surface of the damp peat
with the scalpel and seal the plastic bag tightly.

This technique works very well with seed of various Utricularia species
(in this case U. reniformis which started germinating in the packets two
days later and are still fine after more than a month in the packets!) and I
should imagine others such as Pinguicula, Darlingtonia, etc. It may seem
a little fiddely at first but with a little practice becomes easier and easier.

Some precautions: 95% ethyl alcohol is highly flamable so avoid contact
with naked flame. Some plastic bags are not very heat resistant or may
release toxins when heated above a certain temperature so, some
experimentation is necessary.

Best regards
Rogan Roth.

(roth@botany.unp.ac.za)

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