The aim of this project was to develop symbiotic germination methods for Calochilus that could be transferrable to Calochilus richiae, which is under critical threat of extinction. Germination was tested using two base media: OMA salts only (OMA-s) and ½ Murashige and Skoog (½MS) (Murashige and Skoog 1962) and four carbon sources: oatmeal (OM), wheat bran (WB), Casuarina needles (CN) and potato (Pot). The results of this study demonstrate that OMA-s can produce later stage seedlings compared to ½ MS, which didn’t progress seedlings past stage 2. Similar greater germination percentages can be achieved using OM, CN or OMA-s alone compared to Pot and WB. OMF fungal growth was greater with Pot as a carbon source which was converse to what was observed for percent germination. It is possible that the greater ability of the OMF to utilise Pot may shift the relationship to parasitism resulting in the less germination observed. However, this trend was not consistent among all carbon sources suggesting germination differences among carbon sources may be linked to the nutrient requirements of the seed rather than the OMF requirements. Future studies should investigate the effect of OMA-s with varying concentrations of OM and CN on germination of Calochilus spp.. This research has progressed the understanding of Calochilus germination and thus the possibility of successful conservation of Calochilus richiae, when seed becomes available.