Specklinia digitale is an epiphytic orchid endemic to Mexico. The destruction of its habitat has resulted in it being regarded as an endangered species, and, to our knowledge, no effort has been made to establish ex situ conservation programs. Here, we describe an in situ assessment of flower and fruit phenology and subsequent in vitro germination. We also established a successful protocol for asymbiotic in vitro germination and acclimatization using Murashige–Skoog (MS) medium at full (full-MS) and half (1/2 MS) strength, as well as activated charcoal (AC).
Our study confirmed that flower and fruit production occurs year-round, although we observed a low rate of pollination. No significant difference in germination rate was found among the four treatments tested; however, after evaluating the protocorms, full-MS plus AC emerged as the best treatment for S. digitale in vitro propagation. Germination rates of up to 90.53% were achieved with full-MS, and the acclimatization survival rate was 95%. These observations and our effective germination protocol can be used in a comprehensive approach for conservation efforts of this species.
Baltazar Bernal, Obdulia & Mora-González, Evelia. (2025). Reproductive Phenology and Asymbiotic Germination for Conservation of Endangered Miniature Orchid Specklinia digitale. Horticulturae. 11. 311. 10.3390/horticulturae11030311.
Source: Research Gate