Flasking questions

[The Orchid Boy]

I have a seedpod from my Pot. Memoria Irene Feil 'Ruby Red' AM/AOS ready. I need to order the media, probably from phytotech labs. I don't know what media to order or how much. I'm basing my method on the 4 part video series on YouTube about flasking. If I'm successful, I'd like to start breeding slipper orchids. So what media should I order and how much? Or should I contact Phytotech Labs?

[zxyqu]

http://www.phytotechlab.com/pdf/orchidmediaguide.pdf

See above for Phyto's media guide for Catts. Looks like they recommend several. I use P668 at 1/2 strength as recommended for Phals (with the addition of 5g/L sugar). For a gelling agent, I'd recommend A296 agar. Mix together and you're ready to go. Plus of P668 is that you can use it for replates, and even final flasks with the addition of banana/potatoe/and coconut. Hope that helps.

[The Orchid Boy]

This is my first time flasking. Is there like 2 mediums I can buy that "you just add water" that have agar already in them? A seed sowing and replating media. I'd like to keep it as simple as possible until I'm more familiar with things.

[The Orchid Boy]

I was thinking about product # P668 since it can be used for sowing seeds of catts and paphs and for replating. There was a similar product that had the charcoal, but also had banana and agar. So to prepare these what do you do? Do you have to add more ingredients or just water? For final flasks to add the potato/banana/coconut, do you buy it will all those things in it, one of those things in it, or add ingredients yourself? Thanks. As you can see, I get cofused easily.

[zxyqu]

No worries on the questions, as the first time I was in your shoes I had plenty as well. I just can't speak to any other medias other than P668. P668 is a do all starter media that you can just add to. P656 is basically P668 with all the additions I mentioned (agar included). P748 is with only banana and agar added. Without a good Catt person to speak on what works best for germination and replating, (and provided no one else speaks up here), it might be best to get a bland media for germiantion, and then add some things back for replates. Like try 2 flasks with banana, 2 with banana and coconut, etc. And yes, you can puree your own, or just buy them from phyto. Honestly, for like 13 bucks you can get banana already powderized and ready, but if you want to grind away, go for it. Puree, bag, freeze. Keep the questions coming.

[The Orchid Boy]

As I mentioned before, I'm basing my methods on the YouTube serried about orchid flasking. He said you could use microwaveable containers and I have some that will work. Do seedlings need ventilation while in flask? Someone else said they are successful without ventilation. I may just get the P668 and some other powderized supplements and agar. How do I know how much agar and supplements to add? Should I get some flasking containers? What should I get to measure in mL? Thanks so much for answering my questions!

[zxyqu]

No problems. A couple things that the YouTube video doesn't specify. I'm sure the microwave technique works, but something that is unclear is how much extra water he adds. This is important as in order to steam then you lose a fair bit of water in the process, and I never really got it figured out. Just wasted some 668.
As to how much to use, there is a recommended g/L on the bottle. My reference to 1/2 that amount comes from Phyto and numerous others who've offered help. Add back 5g/L of straight sugar to the mix, and the recommended amount of agar (you may have to try a few levels to get the right amount of gel). If your tap water isnt good, you might want to use DI water from the grocery.
As to ventilation, I'm not sure about Catts, but germination of phals doesn't need it, but can help on replates though still not required. However if one is vented, do no replate to an unvented one, as they tend to not like it at all.
Finally as to jars and volumes, that's up to you. I'd recommend a pressure cooker rather than microwave. I like baby food jars with the lids Phyto sells, and mason ball jars for replates. For amount of media, shouldn't need much in the baby jars, maybe 25ml, and more like 50 for the mason jars. Amount isn't super critical.

[The Orchid Boy]

What does g/L stand for? And how do you know when the media is done in the pressure cooker? I was looking at the containers and lids and think I may get some from them. How many mother flasks should I make? How much contamination did you get at first? Thanks.

[zxyqu]

grams per liter, or g/L. you'll see this all over these products, and it's best to arm yourself with a cheap scale (ebay is recommended). Number of mother flasks is difficult. It'll depend on your preference, space, and number of seeds you get. If you've got a nice pod full of seed (which you likely wont know until you need them), maybe make 2-4. If you've got no seed, or an aborted pod that may/may not have seed calls for 1. I'd just go ahead and make 4 vials. You can used 6oz baby food jars, and grab a few lids from Phyto and some saran wrap to seal them. For a pressure cooker, instructions will likely vary from product to product, so just follow whatever it recommends (sorry can't help much here as I use an autoclave at work). I recommended this route because I tried the microzap method and all I got was a really thick goup at less than half the volume I wanted... Phyto also sells some containers which can be used in either an autoclave or microwave if you want a dual use product. Good luck, and keep those ?s coming. Oh, before I can answer the contamination question, how do you plan to sow the seed (ie what kind of sterile technique/hood/etc?).

[The Orchid Boy]

I have a homemade glove box and will be using diluted bleach to sterilize the inside and everything that comes in the glove box. And what kind of scale? Like one of those balance scales? I have a small electric scale that weighs in grams and ounces up to five pounds. The pod is dry not green and I will need to sterilize and rinse the seed. If I have an unopened jug of distilled water, will it be sterile and safe for use in the glove box?