Tissue Culture: The First 7 Days After Arrival
The first week after a tissue culture plant leaves its protected culture environment is about stability, cleanliness and gradual change. The goal is not rapid growth. It is to help the plant adjust without drying out, overheating or sitting in stagnant conditions.
Day 1: Unpack carefully
Open the package promptly and inspect the plantlet. Use clean hands, clean tools and a clean work area. Gently remove the plant from its culture container and carefully rinse away the remaining gel from the roots.
Day 1: Pot into a fine, airy medium
Choose a fine propagation mix that can hold light moisture while still allowing air around the roots. Avoid burying the crown too deeply and avoid compacting the medium around delicate roots.
Days 1–3: Prioritise humidity and gentle light
Keep the plant in a high-humidity environment such as a propagation box or humidity dome. Place it in bright, indirect light and keep it away from strong direct sun.
Do not let the medium become waterlogged. Fresh tissue culture plantlets need moisture, but stagnant wet conditions can create new problems.
Days 3–5: Watch for stability
Look for leaves remaining firm, the growing point staying healthy and the plant maintaining its posture. Some older leaf decline can happen during transition, but rapid collapse, severe wilting or drying edges may indicate the change is happening too quickly.
Days 4–7: Begin very gentle ventilation
If the plant is stable, begin introducing a small amount of fresh air. This might mean opening a vent slightly or cracking the propagation box lid for a short period.
Increase ventilation gradually. If the plant wilts noticeably after more airflow is introduced, return to higher humidity and progress more slowly.
What not to do in the first week
- Do not place fresh tissue culture in direct sun.
- Do not abruptly remove the humidity cover.
- Do not keep the medium saturated.
- Do not assume every species will acclimatise at the same speed.
- Do not panic if an older leaf declines while the growing point remains healthy.
After the first week
If the plant is stable, continue gradually increasing ventilation and light over time. The full acclimatisation period may take longer than seven days, depending on the species, root development and your growing environment.
Continue with our full guide:
How to Acclimatise Tissue Culture Plants
Shop current tissue culture:
Curved Earth Tissue Culture Collection
Shipping: Tissue culture is sent by Express Post and cannot be shipped to Western Australia or Tasmania.
This is general horticultural guidance. Plant species and individual plantlets vary, so adjust conditions based on the plant's response.