RE: Sterilizing spore & agar as a growth medium.

Hi

I agree with the others.
If not wonting to move into a micro-propogated  based system no need to
sterilize & sow spore on agar.
Main thing is to get good clean viable spore.

One thing we do now is access whether the spore is viable before we continue
with a particular batch. We use a 1/2 M&S media made into a liquid & then
dispensed into 10ml test tubes that are sterile & are clear plastic.

Make sure you clean the spore well which we do  by two processes. When you
have spore & casings etc, tip all this onto  smooth paper A4 sheet  & tap
back & forth[ we use fax paper]. You'll see the spore seperating & carefully
tap the casings off leaving relatively pure spore. We find the Cyathea with
the yellow spore difficult to separate but carefull back & forth you'll get
to learn how to separate. Then we put this into a small jar & cover with
camera lens cleaning tissue[held in place with small rubber band]. Flip this
upside down & tap jar with pen over clean paper. Slowly spore will come thru
leaving further casings in jar. Now we have clean spore to deal with.

Take a small pinch of this clean spore with sterile scalpel & tap over media
surface in test tube. Scew lid on-mark date name & put in growth room.
Generally after 2-6 weeks you'll see whether this is viable spore as it'll
become green & prothallus will start forming.

Once accessed it is viable we then move  onto the next operation. Ie either
sterilize & onto media or sow onto peat based mixes.

Regards

Paul
Fern Factor ltd
NZ
    
    

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-ferns@hort.net [o*@hort.net] On Behalf Of Darren
Lloyd
Sent: Monday, 25 January 2010 11:48 a.m.
To: ferns@hort.net
Subject: [ferns] Sterilizing spore & agar as a growth medium.


Hello,

Do any of you sterilize your spore prior to sowing it, and if so could you
tell me how please?

I have read about various methods, including alcohol.

Also, do any of you use agar as an initial growth medium?

It seems to be used fairly widely, but is there any real advantage in doing
so.


Thanks!

Regards,

Darren Lloyd

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