ordering flasks

[exasperatus2002]

For those who've done their own orchid breeding. How many flasks have you ordered for yourself of a particular breeding? 2-3? If my only capsule has enough fertile seed, I was going to order just two flasks but now Im thinking maybe I should do 3, if possible. But with that many, will I be getting in over my head in babies. How high is the mortality rate on Cattleya hybrids for the first time do it yer selfers? I have the room so I could do 3. I dont have a greenhouse so they'd be raised infront of a large south and east facing window.


pic of orchid room when I did final walk thru before buying house.
[IMG][/IMG]

[patticake]

Hi! I'm getting at least 3 flasks. Because of having 3 capsules, I need to get at least one from each! Since you know that I'm new at this too, I'll wait and see what others have to say now.

[digitalgate]

my mortality rate for Cattleya is terrible! more than 80%. I have better success with
Dendrobium. That window on the left look good for first 6 months of growth.
your 1 flask is how many plant?
my 1 flask is 50 seedling. Most of the time , I order 150 to 500. 150 for Dendrobium (mortality is around 10%) 200-300 for Cattleya usually left with 50 or so adult plant.

your east window is next to the radiator , very dry but warm.

[exasperatus2002]

the flasks would have 25-30 seedlings per flask.

[Ron]

Hi Exasperatus.

the flasks would have 25-30 seedlings per flask.

.
Personally I would order 2 flasks 15 plants in each and ask the flasker to grow them onto a good size. 15 plants in a 4 inch wide flask should be deflasked when the plants are at least 2 inches plus tall, maybe onto their second growth.
Lot better that a 4 wide inch flasks full of weedy seedling clumped together.
That is how I place my orders. get what you want and need, 30 plants from one cross is enough for a hobby grower to handle.
Cheerio and best of luck.
Ron

[Andrew]

While windowsills are acceptable for growing flasks, something to bear in mind is that they aren't particularly well controlled environments. Changes in temperature will draw air in and out of the flask. Depending on the type of flask used and how well it's sealed, fungi and bacteria can be drawn into the flask as well, contaminating the flask. Occasionally dust mites etc can also find their way into flasks and introduce contamination. If you're planning to growing on replated protocorms I'd be inclined to get at least 3 flasks on the off chance one gets contaminated. Alternatively, follow Ron's advice and get the flasker to do most of the work.

[patticake]

One of the labs that I'm using, has a minimum of 3 flasks. I just committed to them today! That made that chioce easy! They prefer the seed already out of the capsules. (Meyers)
I still am narrowing down the last 2 labs. I'll have a LOT of seedlings, myself!! I'm going to grow under T-12 grow lights. I can control all the elements better that way. You must have a place to set up a 4' grow light section, ey?

[exasperatus2002]

Originally Posted by patticake

One of the labs that I'm using, has a minimum of 3 flasks. I just committed to them today! That made that chioce easy! They prefer the seed already out of the capsules. (Meyers)
I still am narrowing down the last 2 labs. I'll have a LOT of seedlings, myself!! I'm going to grow under T-12 grow lights. I can control all the elements better that way. You must have a place to set up a 4' grow light section, ey?

I have the space for it and later this summer I'll be getting the 5 shelf, 4' x 18" shelving unit from lowes so I'll have room just for the chids with shop lights for extra light.

[Ellen]

Meyers is a very good flasking service, the best in my opinion. If the plants are grown to a decent size, with good root support, you should lose very few of them in the deflasking process. Losses generally occur due to plants being too immature (grassy junk or rootless plantlets - nothing you can do about it, especially if plants are shipped in baggies instead of in flask), compots kept too cold, contamination by mold (promoted by conditions that are too wet, too cold, and/or too little air circulation). Keep the baby plants warm, give them plenty of light and good air flow, have faith that they will grow, and don't fuss with them too much.

Exasperatus, the compots from 3 flasks won't take up much room at all. The space issue arises in a couple of years when you pot them all out, and even more so when you have 75 or so big ol' hulking catts getting up to blooming size. Hopefully by then you will have found homes for some of them.

Good luck to all who are growing their "firstborns"! It's an exciting process.

[patticake]

It sounds good to me, Scott! This is such a neat process!