I think you are looking at the first true leaf or stem tissue sprouting out
of the protocorm. In a perfect world, it would not be white, which to me,
describes tissue that is not producing chlorophyll and is a bad thing.
Hopefully you will see it green up. Occasionally, for any number of
reasons, the protocorm and newly developing tissue sprouting from it will
die. Since it can not rot in a sterile environment, death is often
signaled by growth that just turns white and stops growing. But don't give
up hope too soon. Anything could be going on. Sometimes seed which you
don't even know is there will pop up after some faster germinating protocorm
die off.

(I have some Phal seed in flask that greened up real fast and then turned
all black due to phenolic poisoning. I just left it alone because if they
were all dead, there was no hurry to get them out of there. Out of this
black lumpy mass of dead, poisoned protorms, new green protocorms which are
not as sensitive to phenols have popped up and formed plantlets. Many fewer
for sure than the initial flush of seed germination, but enough that I am
glad I did not throw out the flask. Phals leach phenols into the media as a
waste product with more alacrity than any other genus I have germinated.
For instance I don't see it in any of my cattleya flasks. And if you use
charcoal in your media, you won't see it at all because it is black. When
it builds up in charcoal blackened media the surface looks greasy and it is
time to move any plants living there.)

"nigel savage" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hey guys & gals,

Posted several months ago about my attempt at growing from seed, and I
have successfully done so and in my flask I can count all 36 protocorms
under a disection scope. Reason for low amount was that sterilization
step allowed 100% ethanol into the caspule because I was clumsy.
Still, for my first attempt I am delighted to have more than one and no
bacterial/ fungal infections in my flask
The reason for the post is to mention that one of the protocorms has a
single cell projection straight up from the mass of cells. This
protrusion has no pigment and once i get the chance will photograph it
for you (how and where do I post this?) Has anyone any experience with
in vitro orchid growing and can anyone tell me what this protrusion may
be / become? Am I being nive and this is the first primitive leaf?

Glad to hear any info!

Nigel