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Abstract
The effects of the carbohydrates fructose, sucrose, and dextrose on the seed germination and protocorm development of the terrestrial orchid Habenaria macroceratitis were assessed in the presence or absence of banana powder. Malmgren Modified Terrestrial Orchid Medium was used as the basal medium. Each carbohydrate was screened at 50 mM with and without banana powder (15 g L−1). No significant differences in germination or protocorm development among all treatments were observed after seven weeks. There were no significant differences in advanced development among carbohydrate treatments without banana powder after 21 weeks. However, the presence of banana powder in the medium suppressed advanced protocorm development in the fructose, dextrose, and control treatments. These data support the wide suitability of simple exogenous carbohydrates in supporting the germination and protocorm development of H. macroceratitis, and suggest that a wide range of carbohydrates are suitable for the culture of often difficult-to-germinate terrestrial orchids.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Funding for this work was provided by the Florida Division of Forestry and the San Diego County Orchid Society. We thank Nancy Philman (University of Florida) for assistance in experimental design. Brand names are provided for reference only; the authors do not solely endorse these particular products.
