Tissue culture involves the mass production of true to type plants from carefully selected sources of good quality ("mother" plants, seeds, puppies, tubers etc.) in a sterile environment, under conditions controlled light, temperature and humidity. Seedlings (as they were then called in the laboratory) are grown in pots or bottles containing an agar medium in which hormones, nutrients and growth regulators are added in precise quantities, specific to each plant variety.
The end result is completely rooted seedlings that can be exported at this stage ex-agar (as they had no prior contact with the ground), or transferred to the greenhouse to be even acclimated to growth in the soil under natural conditions , a process commonly known as hardening off. Since these plants are grown exponentially under near ideal conditions, they have great force, are hardy and disease-free, and can be obtained in large numbers and uniform size in a short time compared to conventional techniques .
The best and most proven techniques, if not followed correctly, can give poor results. Seedlings that have been too many cycles and thus lost their force, poorly rooted seedlings that have spent enough time in the rooting media, or tiny seedlings that were transferred to the greenhouse too early, are all bound to fall short and fail to thrive. However, each step carefully followed with attention to detail can produce beautiful, strong plants that may seem expensive at first, but be extremely economical in the long run.
Besides the plants are true to the nature and resistant to disease, the benefits of using tissue culture techniques are:
1. It is possible to predetermine and manage the quantities of varieties produced as needed. This allows us to respond to small producers and large. The ability to produce figures showing the requirement also makes it possible for producers to manage their production schedules with precision.
2. Varieties that would otherwise have a very low chance of spreading, or would be very slow to germinate from seeds (some seeds of bromeliads may take up to one year only germinate) can be easily propagated, and the required size and numbers can be obtained in a short period of time.
3. Potential buyers and enthusiasts interested in exotic species are not restricted access to these varieties due to geographical barriers. Having had no prior contact with the ground, these products can be transported worldwide in sterile plastic trays.
