Abstract: In one aspect, a method is provided for increasing germination vigor of conifer somatic embryos produced in vitro. The method comprises (a) singulating a plurality of individual immature conifer somatic embryos from a first culture of embryos after a first incubation period in a first development media; and (b) contacting the plurality of singulated immature conifer somatic embryos with a second development media for a second incubation period.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of producing conifer cotyledonary somatic embryos from pre-cotyledonary embryos. The methods of this aspect of the invention include the step of (a) dispensing a plurality of pre-cotyledonary embryos onto a porous material horizontally disposed over a non-porous surface in a volume of sterile dilution medium sufficient to submerge at least the surface of the porous material, thereby uniformly dispersing the pre-cotyledonary embryos; (b) removing the sterile dilution medium from the non-absorbent porous material, thereby trapping the uniformly dispersed pre-cotyledonary embryos on the porous material; and (c) contacting the pre-cotyledonary embryos trapped on the porous material with development medium for a period of time sufficient to produce conifer cotyledonary somatic embryos.