Effects of Vitamins on Germination and Growth of Orchids

Seeds of the orchid Cattleya trianae var. mooreana x C. schroederae germinated and produced normal growth in an artificial nutrient medium in which one lot of maltose was used as a source of carbohydrate, but no germination of seeds or growth of seedlings was obtained when a more purified maltose was used. 2. The inability of the orchid seeds to germinate and to develop on the purified maltose was not overcome by the addition of thiamin hydrochloride (vitamin B1), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), or calcium pantothenate (chick antidermatitis factor). 3. A few seeds germinated and slow development of the seedlings occurred when riboflavin (vitamin B2) was present in the medium. 4. The presence of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) permitted good germination, but subsequent development was poor. 5. Good germination and excellent development of the seedlings occurred when nicotinic acid (P-P factor) was supplied in the nutrient medium.