separate male and female gametophytes, ---> Seed string in grow tank
-
Team, I am going to be receiving gametophytes at my seaweed hatchery - separate male and female vials/beakers.
I don't really know how to properly combine them, nor do I really know how to apply them to the seed string,
I'm looking for a resource of some kind that can share some real information on how to do these two things. From my own research, what I *think* I know is below, but is likely filled with errors - which is why I'm hoping to find a document/video/anything! that can help me solidify my knowledge in this regard.
It seems like the following process (as an overview) is what I should expect to do....- Receive individual male/female beakers
- Combine the male/female beakers
- wait a day?
- using a caligraphy brush (or something similar) I should essentially paint the combined beaker's contents onto the grow lines on my PVC pipes and place them in the (pre-filled with ocean water) grow tank.
- From there, I should NOT run the chiller in order to better allow the gametophytes to settle.
- After 24-48 hours, I can turn on the chiller and maintain normal operations of water maintenance.
Again, I have doubts that this is absolutely correct. This is why I am hoping to find a resource that goes through the process.
@adam_ornstein31 You are on the right track!
Depending on how big the gametophytes you receive are you may need to grind them using a tissue grinder or an immersion blender. You should let them rest for several days after grinding before applying to the spools
We haven't had great luck using holdfast seed string with gametophytes (it works well for spore seeding but since the gametophytes aren't motile they prefer hygroscopic string to facilitate attachment). We use artist brushes to paint them on the spools.
24 hours should be a sufficient period without the chiller on/circulating as long as the water doesn't get above 60F. We also keep them in darkness during this period.
@toby_sheppardbloch I very much appreciate your feedback.
Question - Can you recommend what/where to purchase hygroscopic string? We've lined our PVC pipes, but we've just used traditional seed string at this point.
Can you tell me how would determine if my gametophytes need to be ground?
Assuming I do not need to grind the gametophytes, would you say that this overview sounds about right?
@adam_ornstein31 we source our string from https://www.langmanropes.com/, which they fabricate to order.
@toby_sheppardbloch Great resource! Can you share with me the type of material twine/rope that you order please?
We order 1mm 'Hortimare' string--Langman will know the spec.
@toby_sheppardbloch I very much appreciate your feedback.
Question - Can you recommend what/where to purchase hygroscopic string? We've lined our PVC pipes, but we've just used traditional seed string at this point.
Can you tell me how would determine if my gametophytes need to be ground?
Assuming I do not need to grind the gametophytes, would you say that this overview sounds about right?
@adam_ornstein31 we source our string from https://www.langmanropes.com/, which they fabricate to order.
@toby_sheppardbloch Great resource! Can you share with me the type of material twine/rope that you order please?
We order 1mm 'Hortimare' string--Langman will know the spec.