The Effect of Pollination Time and Gibberellic Acid (GA3) on the Production and Seed Germination of Phalaenopsis Orchids

The germination power of orchids (Orchidaceae family) seems to be too weak due lack of albumen. The study carried out with various treatments including pollination time and GA3 for breaking dormancy and increasing seed germination of orchids. The effect of pollination time (8 periods from January to August) and gibberellic acid (0, 500, 1000 and 1500 mg L-1) were studied on germination of Phalaenopsis orchids. Capsules containing seeds with 2, 4, 8 and 10% hypochlorite sodium were disinfected. In order to grow seedlings the culture medium of cocopeat and coal with the ratio of 1:5, and cocopeat, coal, industrial shell, and polystyrene with the ratio of 1:1:2:4 was used. Results indicated that the most appropriate concentration of sodium hypochlorite in order to disinfect the capsules was 2%. The best month for pollination of flowers was January. The highest yield from one capsule obtained 15.3 seedlings in the medium of 1/2 MS containing 1000 mg L-1 gibberellic acid. The produced seedlings were transferred to greenhouse in order to hardening. The highest rate of viability was obtained through the medium of cocopeat, coal, industrial shell, and polystyrene particles.