Hi everyone. About 8 days ago I’ve started using Don Holeman’s embryo extraction method and I have two questions.
So far I have almost three dozen embryos that are starting to germinate. They are predominantly South Africa and Casino embryos and some hybrids that I have created (Currently Pure Magic (MATTgrex) x Blondy (DELludjau)).
For some reason the roots have started to swell before the embryo has greened. They are currently a very pale yellow. Is this normal? I’ve read that they should first become green and then the root should swell.
The temperatures that I have tracked so far show a daily average of 20-24°C, and a night temperature average of 19°C. They get direct sunlight for about 7 hours.
I also wanted to ask how deep should you plant the embryos once the first set of true leaves appear?
Honestly your first rounds should be testing what works for you.
Yeah it really depends on the embryo. If after a week the cotyledons are green and the radicle is extending, great. You’ll find that different embryos get to that stage in different ways or times. As long as it has not turned yellow or molded then let it be. I have had embryos go through a stage where they appear to be yellow, as you describe, before turning green
I plant so cotyledons are at soil level
Your photo appears to be fine. If I recall, i see progress around 7 days but I don’t wait longer than 14
Update so far: I’ve got a bunch more germinating, but one of the front runner’s cotyledon has turned grey on the tip. It looks like some sort of fungus. I’ve been frequently checking for mold but it’s appeared in the last day.
Can I use something like a little bit of cinnamon to suppress the fungus, or would that shock/dry out the embryo?
In my limited experience, once they’ve started to turn brown or slimy pink it’s too late. I’ve managed to salvage some embryos from mold but only when they were already mostly green.
That one looks more bacterial to me. The excess condensation from the plastic probably accelerated it. Might as well give it a few days to see if it fights it off though?
The DIY embryo culture is not a sterile procedure. Soaking them and the paper towel in diluted peroxide buys you some time, but the moment you extract them it starts a ticking clock. They either turn green in time to “fight off” the fungus and bacteria or they die.
Would you guys say it looks like too much condensation? I squeeze as much water out from the paper towels as possible, but the amount of condensation always surprises me.
I have two really healthy South Africa seedlings (they weren’t actively crossed with anything, so they could be self pollinated for all that I know), here’s one pictured below.
Well, in the mean time I have amputated the infected cotyledon and even with slight root rot, the seedling has persisted! I’ve planted it in a small container and it is starting to grow true leaves. If it will survive I’m not sure, but I’m surprised either way
