If you do not see any signs of kelp growth under the microscope by Day 14, start thinking about collecting more sorus tissue to reseed your spools. Any delay in the hatchery phase impacts the spool’s ultimate growth on the farm. The later the seed is outplanted, the worse it tends to perform, so quick and purposeful decisions should be made around the two-week mark if your seed is not looking healthy.
Lesson 1
Growth Observations
Back to: Monitoring Growth
Gametophytes
During the first couple of weeks following seeding, your spools will look completely white, which can be nerve wracking but is completely normal. The first major developmental stage for the kelp is the gametophyte stage, which should be identifiable under the microscope by Day 7-10. During this stage in the kelp’s life cycle, there are both male and female gametophytes. Males are more fragmented, while females have bulbous structures.
Important Note
