Hi, Rich.

I have no data specific to Spiranthes magnicamporum, but I do have
firsthand experience with two other membes of Spiranthes, and information
on a third. I would treat all three in a similar manner.

First off, three states categorize the species as endangered
(Georgia, Indiana, and New Mexico), one as threatened (Kentucky), and the
geniuses in Pennsylvania have managed to extirpate it.

The first step is collection of viable seeds. This is best done
with dried capsules that are shedding (dehiscing) seed. A quick assay
using light microscopy at about 100x will demonstrate the presence or
absence of embryos. Seeds should be dried carefully, and stored at 4
degrees C or colder for a couple of months. It is not known if cold
storage is essential to germination, but it does not hurt.

If the seeds are to be sown asymbiotically, they should be
disinfected for 5-15 minutes (if clean) in 5-10% bleach with wetting
agent (0.1% Tween or similar). If the seeds are hydrophobic and resist
wetting (i.e. sinking), and contamination is experienced with this regime,
a quick spin at 1000-1500 rpm in a centrifuge will force disinfectant into
the testa. Similarly, 2-3 minutes in an ultrasonic cleaning bath will help
get disinfectant where it needs to go.

Once disinfected, they should be washed once with sterile
distilled water (two or three rinses are OK, but if the seed does not
sink quickly, you lose too much seed), and sown onto appropriate media.

Germination with other species of spiranthes has indicated that
they are not particular in their requirements. However, formulae that
employ reducing sugars such as glucose inspire germination more rapidly
than those that use sucrose. All other factors being equal, germination is
just as good with either sugar- it just takes longer with sucrose.

Germination has been very good on Western W2.5, and very good with
PhytoTech P-668 with A-111 agar. Other more exotic formulae also work, but
there is little reason to go to such extremes.

Upon germination, replate onto formulae similar to 70% full
strength O-156 with A-111 agar results in exceptional growth. One species
(Spir. cernua from Georgia) even puts out seedling "buds" from the roots.
While this is to be expected from the prolific Spir. cernua odorata
'Chadds Ford' clone, I've never seen it in any other orchid in vitro
before.

De-flasking is tricky, as the synchronicity between seedlings
being "finished" and the correct season for planting is unlikely. We're
still working on this aspect.

Symbiotic germination has been successful using a fungal symbiont
extracted from Spiranthes brevilabris. It has been used to germinate at
least three other spiranthes species, using a routine similar to the
above, sown on oats medium with the fungus instead of sugared medium
without the fungus. It is unlikely you would be able to perform this
technique given the occasionally pathogenic nature of orchid symbionts;
just setting it "wild" in your state would be a very bad idea indeed.

Hope this helps.

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-AJHicks
Chandler, AZ