Orchids are diverse and exotic flowering plants. Orchids are known for their beautiful perfection. They show unique variations within themselves.

 

Having orchids at home is being considered as a symbol of elegance and luxury. But these special friends need special care same as it really needs some amount of extra efforts to grow with elegance and luxury!!!

 

Agar is a part of that special care only! 

 

To prepare an Agar you need;

 

1. Saucepan

2. Sterilized flask

3. Pressure cooker

4. Sterilized container (6-8)

5. Distilled water

6. Nutrient agar powder

7. Pure Coconut water 

8. Tin foil

9. Measuring cups

10. Tongs to lift the containers

 

Let’s start….

 

1. Mix distilled water and coconut water and bring it to a boil. The mixture should be atleast 1 litre. 

2. Then add 28 gms of nutrient agar powder and boil for 5 minutes by stirring constantly.

3. If you are using a pressure cooker to perform the above steps then boil it for 15 minutes at 250 degrees fahrenheit.

4. To reduce the occurrence of contamination you will need to sterilize the flasks and containers, to do so you can place and heat them in the boiling water inside the pressure cooker for 15 minutes OR in an oven set temperature 300 degrees fahrenheit for 15 - 20 minutes. Take out the containers from the pressure cooker using tongs.

5. Let cool down the container to avoid glass Breakage due to sudden rise in the temperature that might occur due to extremely hot mixture.

6. Once the containers are cooled down at room temperature pour the mixture equally in it, DO NOT fully fill the jars, as the mixture will need some space to rise up.

7. Again place the lid on the containers and seal them. Wrap up the containers in the tin foil and place them in the pressure cooker using tongs (Don’t forget to remove its whistle). Let the container be there in the boiling water inside the pressure cooker for at least 20-25 minutes.
   Note: Do not place the container directly in the pressure cooker after pouring the mixture in it. Place a canner/spacer in the pressure cooker and place the containers on it.

8. Now Take out the containers from the pressure cooker using tongs and place them on a pre-heated plate (to avoid glass breakage due sudden change).

9. Do not open jars immediately and completely which will encourage bacterial growth on it. Pull the rubber band around the neck of the containers without removing the foil.

10.  Now keep the containers aside to cool down until a gel-like substance is formed in them.

11. Place the containers in a cool and dry place where it will not get direct light

12.  Once the gel is formed out of the mixture you can use it to spread the Orchid seeds.
     

Note: If you see any while layer or solids formed over or at sides of the mixture it means something went wrong and the mixture is contaminated.