How to Check if an Orchid Seed Is Viable?

In order to grow orchids from seed, you must determine whether seeds are viable, meaning whether the seeds have been fertilized. Only fertilized seeds will grow.

Orchid seeds
Microtube -- small volume test tube
10% sucrose solution, 1.5ml
1% Tetrazolium solution, 1ml
Pot
Stove
Water
Thermometer
Micropipette
Microscope

Instructions

- 1
  Place orchid seeds in a microtube. Be careful not to lose any of the seeds, as they can be expensive.
- 2
  Set a micropipette to 1.5ml, depress the button on the end and insert the tip in the sucrose solution. Release the button to suck up sucrose solution. Add the 1.5ml of sucrose solution in the micropipette to the microtube.
- 3
  Leave the microtube at room temperature overnight.
- 4
  Draw off the 1.5ml of sucrose solution using the micropipette. Add 1ml of the tetrazolium solution.
- 5
  Heat water in a pot on the stove. Use a thermometer to ensure the water reaches 40 degrees centigrade (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Seal the microtube and put it in the water. Leave the stove on a setting that maintains the 40 degree centigrade/104 degree Fahrenheit temperature. Let the pot sit overnight.
- 6
  Place the solution containing the seeds on a microscope slide. Look through the microscope. Look for seeds that have red centers. Those are the viable seeds. The transparent seeds are not.

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