I've seen in various threads the question of introducing Nepenthes into TC via vegetative tissue (meristematic (apical or nodal)) from time to time. It sounds like it has been a difficult avenue for people, resulting in the fact that most, if not all, commercial TC production of Nepenthes comes from seed introduction and subsequent micropropagation. I would like to know if there has been any progress in this aspect of Nepenthes TC. If not, is there any demand for it? Is the current supply of TC produced Nepenthes, originating from seeds, adequately addressing the current demand for Nepenthes? The most obvious advantage of TC production derived from vegetative tissue is the mass propagation of a hybrid or species line that carries desirable traits that may be lost or modified if reproduced through seed production (leaving aside discussion of somaclonal variation).
I have been debating recently whether or not to get back into doing TC. I have a degree in horticulture and have many years of experience doing TC. I used to work for a nursery that specialized in the introduction of new perennial plant cultivars to the US market. I had successfully introduced, from vegetative tissue, various plant species such as Hosta sp., Heuchera sp., Tiarella sp., Silene sp., Corydalis sp., x Heucherella sp., Brunnera sp., Dionaea m., D. capensis, Nicotiana sp., and others that I cannot remember (it has been over 15 yrs). At the nursery I worked for, I would be responsible for coming up with the protocols for introducing (stage I), multiplying (stage II), and rooting (stage III) the novel plant. We would then send the protocol and plant off to another TC lab for mass production. After working in that environment 40 hrs/week for several years, I ended up developing carpal tunnel and had to stop. Now, I work for a biotech company in the Bay Area. Since I haven't been doing TC for a number of years, my carpal tunnel has gone away. During my time doing TC, my contamination rate was very low, even when dealing with starting materials such as a Hosta where you are digging it up from the ground to get access to the growing bud. I did not rely on antibiotics or PPM, just good techniques and a dissecting microscope.
I've recently got back into growing CPs. I noticed that there has been some discussion of Nepenthes TC here and there but little as of late. Before I embark on a potentially labor intensive project, I want to know from other CPers if its going to be worth my time. I have access to all the necessary equipments with my current job (flow hood, autoclave, scalpels, forceps, dissecting microscope, media, PGRs, etc.). What I lack is an incentive to move forward. If I were to start, I currently have N. x ventrata to play around with. Is this a particular easy plant to get vegetative tissue into culture without contamination? If so, I would need to find something more challenging. However, I might be getting a bit ahead of myself. First thing first, is there a need/desire?
I have been debating recently whether or not to get back into doing TC. I have a degree in horticulture and have many years of experience doing TC. I used to work for a nursery that specialized in the introduction of new perennial plant cultivars to the US market. I had successfully introduced, from vegetative tissue, various plant species such as Hosta sp., Heuchera sp., Tiarella sp., Silene sp., Corydalis sp., x Heucherella sp., Brunnera sp., Dionaea m., D. capensis, Nicotiana sp., and others that I cannot remember (it has been over 15 yrs). At the nursery I worked for, I would be responsible for coming up with the protocols for introducing (stage I), multiplying (stage II), and rooting (stage III) the novel plant. We would then send the protocol and plant off to another TC lab for mass production. After working in that environment 40 hrs/week for several years, I ended up developing carpal tunnel and had to stop. Now, I work for a biotech company in the Bay Area. Since I haven't been doing TC for a number of years, my carpal tunnel has gone away. During my time doing TC, my contamination rate was very low, even when dealing with starting materials such as a Hosta where you are digging it up from the ground to get access to the growing bud. I did not rely on antibiotics or PPM, just good techniques and a dissecting microscope.
I've recently got back into growing CPs. I noticed that there has been some discussion of Nepenthes TC here and there but little as of late. Before I embark on a potentially labor intensive project, I want to know from other CPers if its going to be worth my time. I have access to all the necessary equipments with my current job (flow hood, autoclave, scalpels, forceps, dissecting microscope, media, PGRs, etc.). What I lack is an incentive to move forward. If I were to start, I currently have N. x ventrata to play around with. Is this a particular easy plant to get vegetative tissue into culture without contamination? If so, I would need to find something more challenging. However, I might be getting a bit ahead of myself. First thing first, is there a need/desire?