Patau's deflasking project

[patau13]

I'm copying the title from some other thread, but you guys have inspired me to try my hand at deflasking.

I decided to buy a flask off ebay (crazy, I know); from a vendor in Thailand (crazy, I know), but it arrived and i'm off to the races.

I got a neofinetia flask. About 40 plants all of about the same age and a square shaped whisky bottle. The agar was a little jumbled up from the shipping and I figured I had to deflask the orchids pretty quickly. I deflasked them on day 5 or so. I wrapped the flask in newspaper and smashed the based of the flask with a hammer and it broke into a few pieces without shattering. The orchids came out in a group as you can see below (I'll add the picture tomorrow).

I put the orchids in a bowl of warm water and gently rinsed off the agar and gently teased them all apart. I spread them out on newspaper as you can see below (I'll add the pic tomorrow).

I then divided the baby seedlings into 5 groups and compotted them in a modified s/h (seedling in sphag over s/h). As they grow I'll repot. I am hoping they do well in this high humidity for at least a few months.

It this point I have reached the end of my knowledge. I'm not sure how long to ride out the compot. I am guessing I can leave them where they are at for the next 6-12 months. I'd appreciate any advice. I'll keep posting at the plants grow.

I'll try to add the pictures tomorrow when I have more time.

[solay]

Sorry I have no advice since I'm still quite new and have no knowledge on de-flasking. I'm looking forward to seeing how your seedlings do. I've thought of buying a flask myself but I know I need to wait until I am more experience. Glad you had the guts to try it. I'll be following this thread. It's so interesting. Thanks and good luck.

[patticake]

Hi! I too, have never grown from flask, but will be trying it in the future! From all that I've read, it sounds good! Getting a flask from Thailand, did you have to pay CITES etc.? I love Neofinetias- This is great! I would say that there is no set time, but to keep them there until they "look" like the need to be moved. I think this is a play it by ear time. Good luck! Looking froward to those pictures!

[markclkk]

I think for hybrid plants in agar, you don't need CITES.

[Ron]

Hi Patau.
From the sound of it you are off to a flying start. Putting them into size groups is good thinking.i have never deflasked neofinetias but would treat them the same as Masd. Dends, Paphs etc.
Masdevalias I leave in the compots until they are a size to go indivually into 2 inch pots, usually 3 to six monts.
Dendrobiums may take 6 to 12 months before I break up the compots and into 2 inch pots etc.
In general do not rush them into the next stage until the size of the plant dictates the need.
Paphs can and usually take me 12 months.
Only other thing I always do is fungicide them to prevent damping off.
Not always necessary, but as the flasks can often cost US$40 to US$100.
I can not afford to take chances.
Attached is a photo of my hardening off frame I use after I deflased my plants.
it is an electric hot bed and the frame I made out of Perspex.
They can stay in here for up to 3 months depending on what time of the year it is.
Sorry I can not find the photo with the plants in it but it gives you a general idea.
And it works.
Cheerio
Ron

[digitalgate]

Originally Posted by patau13

I'm copying the title from some other thread, but =


I then divided the baby seedlings into 5 groups and compotted them in a modified s/h (seedling in sphag over s/h). As they grow I'll repot. I am hoping they do well in this high humidity for at least a few months.

It this point I have reached the end of my knowledge. I'm not sure how long to ride out the compot. I am guessing I can leave them where they are at for the next 6-12 months. I'd appreciate any advice. I'll keep posting at the plants grow.

I'll try to add the pictures tomorrow when I have more time.

you have 1 year to think over this. why worry

[katrina]

Congats on taking that step!

Not only do I not have any experience w/deflasking but I am totally lacking in the patience required. Nonetheless, I find it all very fascinating and will be looking forward to the pics...as well as the updates on this thread.

Good luck!!

[patau13]

Ok, i uploaded the pictures. and here they are:

The first few are of the tangle of orchids after I broke them out of the flask (I don't have any of them in the flask).

[patau13]

Here they are on paper after being teased apart.

[patau13]

Finally,

Here are the compots. About 40 plants between 5 pots. s/h with sphag on top, so my thought was mainly that the s/h part would keep the humidity up and the sphag would be easy on the baby roots. I've been leaving the tops on partway to get the plants used to less than 100% humidity. We'll see if it works. The roots are turning white--I hope that's a good sign.


I guess I'll post more as they die or flourish. Hoping for the later.

[patau13]

Here's my goal. I know I'm many years away

[solay]

Where's the pics? I don't think it loaded.

[articuno75]

I too don't see the pics. Might have to reload them again.

[patticake]

No pictures.. Unless they're "ghost" orchids! Try again, I would really like to see the photos!

[Brooke]

Now Patti, that is funny :>)

Brooke

[katrina]

Originally Posted by patticake

No pictures.. Unless they're "ghost" orchids!

Too funny!

[Ron]

Hi, it happen to me a couple of time. If you exceed the I think 140 kb they will not load.
maybe that is what happen.do not worry about it Patau, try again.
Love to see what the photos show.
Deflasking for the first time can be stressful but also in the long term very rewarding.
finally to see the baby plants grow up and flower.
Cheerio
Ron

[cloudswinger]

Originally Posted by markclkk

I think for hybrid plants in agar, you don't need CITES.

Neofinetia is not a hybrid though. But it's not native to Thailand either. Did you pay the phyto fee? Did you have any problems with USDA or Customs? Did you pay for the express shipping?

[markclkk]

Originally Posted by cloudswinger

Neofinetia is not a hybrid though. But it's not native to Thailand either. Did you pay the phyto fee? Did you have any problems with USDA or Customs? Did you pay for the express shipping?

Don't know yet. Will find out reallll soon. Yes, phyto is a must. Express... i think so. But Thailand is not very far from Singapore. And there are a lot of business, cargo between the two countries so.... I think it would reach me fast after i settle the "last bottle" issue. (one of my order were "reserve" by another buyer. Have to wait for him to "let go" before i finalize the order)

[patau13]

It's strange. I see the pictures when I view the thread. Each picture is about 80kb and is a link from an outside site. I'm not sure what the problem is.

As far as shipping from Thailand. I did pay for a phytosanitary paper, but it was packaged inside the box which was not opened by customs. The whole shipping process took only a few days from Thailand to here. I was suprised how fast it was. I did pay for express shipping though.

[markclkk]

I think is the permission of your photo hosting site. Need to open up for public visit.