A major obstacle to native orchid production is difficulty in seed germination. Culture media and light
effects on seed germination of Calopogon tuberosus var. tuberosus, a native orchid with horticultural potential,
were studied. Culture media included Knudson C, Malmgren modified terrestrial orchid, and
PhytoTechnology orchid seed sowing. Effects of 8 weeks continual darkness, 8 weeks 16-h photoperiod,
2 weeks dark followed by 6 weeks 16-h photoperiod, 4 weeks dark followed by 4 weeks 16-h photoperiod,
and 6 weeks dark followed by 2 weeks 16-h photoperiod were examined. Percent seed germination was
highest on Knudson C after 8 weeks culture; however, seedling development was enhanced on PhytoTechnology
seed sowing medium during 8 weeks culture under a 16-h photoperiod. This suggests that while
KC and darkness promoted seed germination, P723 and light enhanced further seedling development.
Seedlings of C. tuberosus readily acclimated to greenhouse conditions.