How Long Does It Take an Orchid to Grow From a Seed?
It takes from 3 to 12 months to grow an orchid from seed. However, it can take up to 10 years for the plant to start flowering.
Growing orchids from seed is a difficult process that requires sterilized equipment to prevent disease from spreading to the plant. An agar mixture for the seeds to sit and germinate in needs is made by boiling distilled water with agar-based orchid gelling medium. Once the mixture is boiled, it must be put into airtight containers without sealing the lids closed and then baked at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Once the mixture is cooled, the lids should to be screwed on tightly.
A grill should be placed above a boiling pot of water for a steam cleaning, which is followed by an ethyl alcohol solution cleaning. Forceps and a knife should be similarly sterilized.
Place the orchid seed capsules in a bottle filled with bleach for 15 minutes and then lay them on the sterilized grill using the clean forceps. Cut open the seed capsules using the sterilized knife and place them in the containers with the agar mixture. Allow the seeds to germinate and grow for 45 days. Once the seedlings are big enough, they can be transplanted into a pot with peat moss, fir bark and orchid compost.
