Finally flasked...now what?????

[rodcuda]

It works well for both just use 2 bananas instead of 1 for the replate.

[doodlekitty]

Ahhhhhh thanks...and if I had read your recipe more thoroughly, I would have known the answer!! Thanks!

[patticake]

Doodle..The babies are looking great! I almost wet myself when I saw the last pictures! This is so cool...

[doodlekitty]

Ok now get a hold of yourself Patticake!!!! Do you need a "Depends"?? LOL. Yes they're growing up fast and I reflasked the remaining mother flasks...so I have baby dends coming out of my ears. I never thought I would ever get to the point where I would ask this question but here goes....how long before they'll have to be replated again....OR do they stay in this flask for the duration (however long THAT is)???

[patticake]

Originally Posted by doodlekitty

Ok now get a hold of yourself Patticake!!!! Do you need a "Depends"?? LOL. Yes they're growing up fast and I reflasked the remaining mother flasks...so I have baby dends coming out of my ears. I never thought I would ever get to the point where I would ask this question but here goes....how long before they'll have to be replated again....OR do they stay in this flask for the duration (however long THAT is)???

I work in a retirement home for nuns. I may just have to get a box of those!

Everything that I've read, says that this is the last (and only) re-plate. I know that when I was shopping for a flasking lab last year, they all charged for initial flaskings and however many flasks you wanted from the re-plate. I believe that you just let 'em grow from here! The one flask that I bought and de-flasked myself, is a success so far. The smallest seedlings didn't make it, but I was told 24 plants- and I've got about 29 that made it. I wouldn't de-flask too early, that's for sure. I would sure love to try flasking, but it makes me nervous.

[rodcuda]

She is correct, you should not need to reflask though there is no reason you could not if you wanted to get a special cross bigger before they come out of the flask. Just grow them until they are big enough to grow in a compot or a tray.

I have seen people grow a small number (2-5) in a tall stand up flask until they reached the top of the flask. This allows them to go strait into a 2 inch pot.

At one time I had a miniture Oncidium species that I bloomed in a lay down flask. It was always in bloom and was a great conversation piece, I kept it that way for about 2 years.

[Plucky Purcell]

What a great thread! Doodlekitty, you rock. Nothing like sterile, scientific procedures to get me excited. Wooo Hooo!

[doodlekitty]

Why thank you Plucky....and for your viewing pleasure you can checkout the thread above this one whereby I freak out about brown roots....

[doodlekitty]

Ok let me try this again....

Here are some pics of the "chids"!! I'm thinking its time to get them outta there........can I get some advice from the experts???

[exasperatus2002]

Originally Posted by doodlekitty

Ok let me try this again....

Here are some pics of the "chids"!! I'm thinking its time to get them outta there........can I get some advice from the experts???

They look great! Makes me really wanna try it myself. I'll have to reread this thread afew times. Hmmm....I've got two Phals' in blooms (Phal. Fireberry 'Orchidheights' and a noid yellow w/spotting/barring). Maybe I should for practice......... 7 months for a Phal. Then again I'd have my Catt. flasks back before these would be ready. Does anyone have any capsules growing? This would make for an interested geek project for us all. Thanks for the inspiration doodlekitty.

[-k-]

Very impressive what I am reading here, the progress is amazing! Very well done...
I am just about speachless I got to give this a try!

[trinigirl]

They are doing so well!

They do look like the are ready for the next stage, whatever that is. I hope it keeps progressing smoothly!

[hulaorchid]

Great growing Doodlekitty! I love this thread also! Keep us posted!!

[doodlekitty]

Thank you everyone!! Your encouragement is very much appreciated!!! As I read back thru the thread it would appear that I'm just a LITTLE anxious to get those puppies outta there!! I actually have several more jars...they are from the same mother flasks, but were replated a little later. MEANwhile....the next wave is doing well...I have some little Epi's coming up........Here's a pic!!

[patticake]

Fantastic! I would wait a tad longer. Just to be sure they have a good start. You could do one flask at a time, and see how it goes each time.

[jay]

Wow, you are doing great. I am so impressed with your first try at flasking. I hope when I finally get the chance to try this that I have the same good results you are having. Thanks for the update.

[CharliesAngel51]

I'm totally impressed. They are looking really good. You are an inspiration. I will be watching this all the way to BLOOMS!!

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by doodlekitty

Ok let me try this again....

Here are some pics of the "chids"!! I'm thinking its time to get them outta there........can I get some advice from the experts???

Personally, I'd leave them in a bit longer until you get see a bit more root growth.

[kninum]

WOW.. your little darlings sure do look like they are coming along nicely! awesome job!

in fact, i am now inspired (thank-you) to attempt the "long journey" myself.....of course first i have to try and get a pod to play with, but while i am working on that i should have time to read up on the rest of the process, LOL.

here are a couple of pairs (a named pair and a noid pair) i'm trying to get to pod- hopefully 1 of the 4 flowers will accept my request

[tizzycat]

Impressed isn't the word. "Gobsmacked" would be more like it. (excuse the Yorkshire please)

[doodlekitty]

Originally Posted by kninum

WOW.. your little darlings sure do look like they are coming along nicely! awesome job!

in fact, i am now inspired (thank-you) to attempt the "long journey" myself.....of course first i have to try and get a pod to play with, but while i am working on that i should have time to read up on the rest of the process, LOL.

here are a couple of pairs (a named pair and a noid pair) i'm trying to get to pod- hopefully 1 of the 4 flowers will accept my request

Kninum, I think you and Exasperatus should hook up and exchange some pollen..

[OrchidMom]

You are doing great. Personally, I would leave them in another month or two in order to get a good set of roots on them.

And I like the sounds of some of you guys... orchid sex always gets me going.

[willowbanks]

Doodlekitty, what method did you use to get the seeds into the sterile bottles in the first place???? I've read all the posts and just can't find the answer.

Bill

[doodlekitty]

Originally Posted by OrchidMom

You are doing great. Personally, I would leave them in another month or two in order to get a good set of roots on them.

And I like the sounds of some of you guys... orchid sex always gets me going.

Thanks....coming from an expert, that's quite a compliment!

[doodlekitty]

Originally Posted by tizzycat

Impressed isn't the word. "Gobsmacked" would be more like it. (excuse the Yorkshire please)

Ya know.............had I not been watching the Susan Boyle show (lol) I would never have known what that meant (Gobsmacked). What a great word!!!

And THANK YOU for the compliment!

[doodlekitty]

Originally Posted by willowbanks

Doodlekitty, what method did you use to get the seeds into the sterile bottles in the first place???? I've read all the posts and just can't find the answer.

Bill

Oh man, it wasn't easy....

Sorry...not the answer you wanted. Short answer: Glovebox, baby jars and lots of bleach. Long answer: I guess I better get it all documented........I keep getting asked that question.

Seriously though, I performed a combination of many methods that I had been researching. Much like my approach to cooking, I threw together a bunch of "recipes" and came up with one of my own (method, not recipe). Trust me, I'm not being "coy"...just lazy I guess...as I never documented my steps (other than in my handy dandy laboratory notebook).

However I will be more than happy to answer any questions...and will certainly start working on documenting the process I have used so far...........

[willowbanks]

Thanks Doodlekitty, I just had to ask that question, it's something other Geeks need to know before they get carried away thinking they can just open the bottle lid and drop the seeds in.

I've seen plenty of these sleeve boxes/glove boxes over the years but never tried one myself. I'm really impressed with the lack of contamination you have achieved, well done.

Bill

[doodlekitty]

Thank you!!! You are really nice to say so! I was so worried about contamination I really probably went over-board with the bleach AND alcohol, for that matter. Anyway, you have motivated me to get my process documented (with pics) and since I have a couple of pods about to "pop" I'm getting ready for the next "go round" so I'll definitely be posting some helpful info soon.

I think the main reason I have been hesitant to post "instructions" is that I am a newbie myself and frankly, I really didn't think I'd have the success I had. So THEN I had to try it again and much to my surprise, I did it again!!!

[jay]

Doodlekitty - I posted a question in another thread about the kitchen culture kits but I think it got buried in the numerous posts.

If I remember correctly there was only one kit to purchase on that site. Did you find that you needed additional items or was the kit complete other than the pressure cooker?

I am looking to get the same kit and have had it bookmarked for some time. I am waiting until I get a successful pollination of a new cross. Hopefully I will have as much success as you.

[doodlekitty]

Hi Jay,

Yes you did and I saw it and yes it did.

I don't want to give you misinformation so I have to look up my records (I ordered it last summer) as to which kit...I also ordered the kit from Phytotech (epiphytes) and have used both. I will get that info for you tomorrow.

Now if I could be as successful at landing a job as I have been at propagating orchids, I would be a very happy girl. (Perhaps that is that answer to so many questions....I have plenty of TIME on my hands and spend a LOT of it on educating myself on orchid propagation).

[mosmanlow]

Dear Rod,

Congratulations and reading your progress
with your flasks.

Thanks for sharing and also to RODCUDA for
his personal media formulation.

[doodlekitty]

Originally Posted by jay

Doodlekitty - I posted a question in another thread about the kitchen culture kits but I think it got buried in the numerous posts.

If I remember correctly there was only one kit to purchase on that site. Did you find that you needed additional items or was the kit complete other than the pressure cooker?

I am looking to get the same kit and have had it bookmarked for some time. I am waiting until I get a successful pollination of a new cross. Hopefully I will have as much success as you.

Jay, The kit I purchased is the Basic Kit with manual, supplies and chemicals...it was $99.00. Not sure if the prices are still the same. Yes it was a great kit to get started with...and the founder, Carol has been great in answering follow-up questions, etc. I already had my own pressure cooker. The other "must have" is Aaron J. Hicks Book on Asymbiotic Technique of Orchid Seed Germination. I've ordered from his site as well....again....EXCELLENT customer support. Orchid people are just so nice!!

[Stelios]

How many flasks or how much of medium the kit produces? What is also included?

[mah0609]

Originally Posted by doodlekitty

Well I must have done something right..........look what I have!!!! I'm not sure that they should be in little "globs" but I'm pretty sure I have germination!!!!!!

looks great, what medium did you use and how long did you wait after pollination until sowing


I just purchased knudons medium and some replate medium been researching like crazy...

Thanks just curious on the steps you took

[vcuchick]

OMG! this is soooo cool! I just came across this thread today and it's better than watching tv!

Doodlekitty, I've never grown a seedling, but if you want to pass them around, I'd be willing to "babysit" one for a few years and we can see which of us can get the first blooms! Have you named your Hybrid yet?

[doodlekitty]

Hi vcuchick, thanks! You know what? I now have so many I am more than happy to send them to anyone who wants them. They are NOIDS (I have pics of the parents) so they're not worth anything...but where they lack in pedigree...they make up in numbers.....lots of em!!!

The tough part comes as soon as I deflask them (next month or so) because seedlings are HARD to raise. BABYSITTING is exactly what I would call it....

[vcuchick]

Ha! I'm not an orchid snob...half my collection are NOIDS, but they bring me just as much enjoyment as the ones with pedegrees!

[exasperatus2002]

Originally Posted by doodlekitty

Well I must have done something right..........look what I have!!!! I'm not sure that they should be in little "globs" but I'm pretty sure I have germination!!!!!!

Sniff Sniff... this is what my babies look like right now at the flaskers. Do you have any updated baby pictures?

[doodlekitty]

Sure!! Last week I decided to take a leap of faith and deflasked 2 jars!! Here they are!!!!

[dorothea]

they look great! good job!

[patticake]

Fantastic! They look really great!

[trinigirl]

Those look great- very green and healthy looking!

Makes me want to jump right in and flask something!

Wonderful job!

[doodlekitty]

Thank you everyone!! I should post more often; you all make me feel so successful!!!

[Bird Song Farm]

Wow, what a healthy looking bunch of plants! Great job Doodlekitty!!
Al

[kid a]

So Cool! I dunno why I had been following this thread already lol! You are doing a great job on those! Yay!

[doodlekitty]

So I guess its safe to deflask the other TWELVE jars?????

(After all, I have to make room for the 2nd batch of germinating babies...)

[solay]

Go for it and good luck. 12 jars!!! You've got your work cut out for you. Have fun!

[vcuchick]

12 jars? Holy Smokes! Hope you have room for them! I'll take a baby off your hands when you run out of room!

I don't know if you've posted this already or if anyone has asked, but have you posted pictures of the seedlings' parent plants? I'm curious to know what they come from.

[jay]

This should keep you busy. Where in the world are you going to keep all of these?

[mah0609]

hi

not sure but I think you helped me in the past with a PDF document of how to flask and supplies your company has to offer
sorry if not you

Originally Posted by doodlekitty

Hi all....

I just completed my 1st flasking attempt. I've researched for months and months and THINK I did it all right but what I didn't research was exactly how to store the flasks. I flasked on Saturday and know I need to set them up under some lights but from what I read, they don't need much (they're dends). Help and thanks!

[doodlekitty]

Yes it's keeping me busy alright.......LOL I just deflasked two more! I'm not planning on keeping them, but for now they've taken up residence in my spare bedroom. It's slowly turning into an orchid nursery...

Originally Posted by jay

This should keep you busy. Where in the world are you going to keep all of these?

[doodlekitty]

Sure, I'm trying to post the pic.......apparently I am better at propagating orchids than creating jpeg files.....

Originally Posted by vcuchick

12 jars? Holy Smokes! Hope you have room for them! I'll take a baby off your hands when you run out of room!

I don't know if you've posted this already or if anyone has asked, but have you posted pictures of the seedlings' parent plants? I'm curious to know what they come from.

[Forever-mango]

Its nice watching your babies grow!

I just recieved my flask, just doing a little more research before i take them out.

Just wondering, when your took your babies out of the flask, did you treat them in anything? I was told to use warm boiled water to clean the alger off the plants, then put in the compost and water with the fungicide provided. But it doesnt tell me to put into a plastic box to keep in moist and away from light for a few weeks.

[doodlekitty]

Thanks, I must admit they have definitely consumed a lot of my time. I have used several methods for deflasking and still feel clueless about the best way. I've tried the whole "rinse and separate" method, "leave 'em the agar" method and don't separate, use physan, don't use physan....sphagnum vs seedling mix, etc. I've definitely lost a lot of plantlets and some are still in flasks. I think the biggest issue is maintaining the perfect environment for them. For instance today it is a whopping 97 degrees in S. Florida and I had everyone outside, but had to bring them in. I have to defer to the experts on this one because I just can't seem to get it right.

[vcuchick]

Hey doodle,

How're the babies coming? picture updates??? Still willing to send me some babies?

[Schlyne]

This has been a great thread so far...looking forward to the updates.

[doodlekitty]

Hmmmm.....apparently I havent posted any pics lately....check out the "chids"....

[Brooke]

Lookin' good!

Brooke

[kid a]

Woot! Looks like you will be doing more propogating in the future (i hope)! You are doing such an excellent job! Thank you so much for sharing this with us!

[orchids4me]

Way to go Doodlekitty,
I stumbled onto this thread tonight and have spent the past 2 hrs reading it all and wow! I think you're pretty much getting to pro status here and I've been noticing the date stamps you've been at this for awhile congrats!
Every book I have on orchids state when it comes to this topic says "leave it to the pro's " or "send seed pod to a flasking lab and let them handle it" . You have defiantly inspired me. I got the author name of a book you stated in a post Aaron J. Hicks and kits from Phytotech. Is the other place you named OBSP an abbreviation? Or is that the name? Are there any other books you use other than Aaron J. Hicks book (Asymbictic technique of orchid seed germination) and what has you're successful fluorescent light candle light distance actually been. And one more question (I know I know like 20 questions here lol). You said you're spare bedroom is where your nursery is in S. Fla, the window in that room which direction does it face ? Any sun for the babys from that window along with your fluorescent lighting? Might be part of your magic in your method and success. Thank you for all the info and updates on your thread.

[berkeleysgr8]

A very fun thread to read! I think it's great that you had success on your first go!

[Brooke]

Emmaye you don't want any sun on your flasks or you will cook the contents instantly.

Brooke

[willowbanks]

Brooke, do you mean direct sunlight or any filtered sunlight on flasks???????

Bill

[Brooke]

Direct sun Bill.

Brooke

[amchu3]

That was amazing! I stumbled upon this thread randomly and I have to say I'm so glad I saw these after the seedlings are doing fine. If I were here from the beginning, I'd probably be holding my breath in anticipation and checking the forums all the time for an update! How exciting it must have been for you.

I never knew this was how orchids are grown. I had a question. In the beginning when they were all these little green dots in the agar, was each little dot an individual plant? It looked like there were hundreds in each jar!

Like everyone else is offering, I wouldn't mind helping you with the space problem

[dankr]

[QUOTE: exasperatus2002;140183]They look great! Makes me really wanna try it myself. Does anyone have any capsules growing? This would make for an interested geek project for us all. Thanks for the inspiration doodlekitty.

My Coelogyne flexuosa has some developing seed pods on it. Last year's five pods went to Meyers Conservatory. The year before I sent one to a private 'flasker' who's replated them twice - once because of overcrowding; later trying for better root development. Anyway the plant, She seems to produce fertile seed. Flowers were pollinated some time in late May by an unknown vector. No other Coel. in bloom at the time; so I think it's crossed with itself. 3 Pods Available - not yet ripe.

[BluPeaches]

That is awesome! Congrats on the great job you are doing!
You can add me to the list to babysit, lol

[PhalNewbie89]

Same here. I will babysit any stray chids. :P

You did a wonderful job. I am also glad I am finding this now. Just reading through it all I was anticipating each picture. lol

[exasperatus2002]

Great job!

[vcuchick]

Doodle-

any blooms yet? Can you update us on the project? Remind me again, what variety were these? Den?

[VEEKTOR]

I'm growing quite a few seedlings so I thought I might Bump a few post
and see if some folks would like to update the progress their seedlings
are having. I'm fascinated by these little guys!

[berkeleysgr8]

An update on this project (and the job search) would be great!

[Daethen]

Wow, love this thread. Glad you had such great luck. You can add me to the babysitting list! Updates and pics PLEASE!!!!!!

[PhalNewbie89]

Definitely. How are the little ones?

[jcaesar1310]

Originally Posted by doodlekitty

Hi all....

...I need to set them up under some lights but from what I read, they don't need much (they're dends). Help and thanks!

Welcome to the world of flasking! I've had pretty good results using florescent lighting. I tried a plant light, the "full spectrum" ones with the blue bulbs...and got no germination until I moved them. I had best results starting my flasks in an east facing window. They get lots of light...and germinate quickly...much faster than under florescent lights. I move them from the window sill to under lighting once they germinate and need the additional window space.

Good Luck!
Tim.