Back to: Kelp Culturing 101

Currently, there are two different methods to culture kelp.

The guidance given in the courses to follow will focus on the traditional seed string method that has been used successfully for the past several decades. Gametophyte culturing with direct seeding is a relatively new technique entering the scene of commercial kelp farming. Below we will describe a little more in detail what traditional and gametophyte hatcheries look like along with their limitations. 

Seed String Culturing 

This technique uses PVC pipe or an alternative structure wrapped in twine to culture the kelp from meiospores to juvenile sporophytes. The sorus tissue from wild kelp is collected, processed, and submerged in water to encourage spore release. This spore-rich solution is then poured over the prepared spools. Spores suspended in the solution will attach to the twine and develop into sporophytes, and the twine will ultimately be outplanted onto the growlines of the farm when the blades are approximately 1-2 mm in length. 

Seed String Culturing Process

The spools are grown in a tank that is monitored and maintained daily to assure optimal growth. Because this process is reliant on the wild availability of sorus tissue, it is beholden to a seasonal calendar, and seed spool hatcheries only operate for approximately two months in the fall.