Classification of the developmental stages, according to their morphology forboth orchid species as indicated above, revealed that the diameters of D. bigibbum var. compactum and D. formosum
germinating seeds were discrete with significant differences between the four stages (Table 1; Fig. 3). D. formosum germinates at a significantly slower rate such that within the 12 weeks of the experimental period, only development up to stage 3was observed.