Static Liquid Culture of Doritaenopsis Seedlings

Abstract

Methods for static liquid culture are described to improve the growth of Doritaenopsis (commercially known as Phalaenopsis) seedlings in vitro. The results showed that seeds not only germinated, but also grew faster in liquid medium. No hyperhydric seedlings were observed in liquid culture when liquid level was accurately controlled by culture density, medium volume, and sealing materials. Although the germination percent was unaffected by medium phase (liquid or solid), sowing density, medium volume, or sealing material, the growth of seedlings decreased as density increased or medium volume decreased. Seeds of 1.5 mg mixed with 20 mL of liquid medium per 9-cm petri dish sealed with two layers of parafilm prompted optimal results. Shoot growth also was enhanced while 75-day-old seedlings were subcultured in liquid media with or without support. Seedling growth was enhanced by adding 20 mL liquid media to 36 seedlings without support after 45 days of culture. It was expected that by static liquid culture, the period from sowing to ex vitro would be 1.5 months shorter than the traditional solid culture.