Nutrient Germination of Orchid Seeds
兰科植物种子的营养萌发

The seeds of Orchidaceae are dust-like and nearly microscopic in size, which stays in proembryogenic stage without endosperm storing necessary nutrient for seed germination. It is hard for most orchids to germinate with endogenous nutrition, thus, exogenous nutrition plays an important role for seed germination. Researches on germ-free germination of terrestrial orchid, epiphytic orchid and saprophytic orchid have been successfully conducted with endogenous nutrition, especially in Chinese orchid (terrestrial orchid). Moreover, Dendrobium spp. germinated successfully outside the tube. We speculate that here are various ways to provide exogenous nutrients for orchid germination based on our experimental analysis. Fungi can promote orchid seeds germination, however, it is just one of the various ways for nutrients providing. In general, our findings provide new insights to seed germination and seedling breeding, which has great significance in protection and sustainable use of orchid.