Has Anyone bought flasks from Ching Hwa orchids?

[NYCorchidman]

I would like to buy flasks, but I'm concerned about the tiny plants all jumbled up in the glass during shipping.

Once seedlings are jumbled around, do they have to be taken out?

I would like to leave them inside the glass until they get quite big. Just my preference.

Any advice will be appreciated.

[Hiester]

Can I join you on this bench? I'm also curious what the response will be, and the ways to handle flasked plants.

[Fairorchids]

I have not purchased from that breeder (yet). However, two comments:

I purchased flasks from two different Thai vendors last year. They rinsed out the agar prior to shipping, which caused plants to be very jumbled and bruised by the time they arrived. I had to pot them up immediately (but lost most).

I am not sure whether they have to do this to get them through the US plant inspection, or whether it is simply 'how they do it' in Thailand.

If you get sealed flasks with agar in good condition, you have the option of leaving the plants in there somewhat longer. However, how long depends upon:
a. How well the seedlings are spaced in the flask. You don't want them to become too crowded.
b. How many nutrients are left in the agar. I don't know how to judge this. I assume that seller is selling because plants are ready/due to come out, so I tend to deflask upon receipt.

I just got two more hobby flasks from Woodstream at Parkside. One was overdue (seedlings were large), and the other could have waited a while longer, but it is easier for me to just do them and get them into my seedling tubs.

[orchidsarefun]

many Taiwan Orchid Growers use what I call "baggies", not flasks. I got 1x baggie and the seedlings were larger and more robust.............but far fewer than in a flask. But cheaper ! I got 12 ( I think ) in a baggie. 10 have survived 6+ months.
You should find out if you can get a baggie or 2.

[sweetjblue]

NYCorchidman,

Just received this about a half hour ago. Mailed from within the USA. So could imagine what one might get ordering from further distances.

This is what you don't want your flask to look like. Happened thru no fault of the sender and the plants will be fine, but once the agar gets jumbled like this, an immmediate potting up is in order.
Leaving them in the flask like this, even for a few days, is an invitation to mold or fungus. Thus possibily losing the whole flask.

Judi

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by Fairorchids

I have not purchased from that breeder (yet). However, two comments:

I purchased flasks from two different Thai vendors last year. They rinsed out the agar prior to shipping, which caused plants to be very jumbled and bruised by the time they arrived. I had to pot them up immediately (but lost most).

I am not sure whether they have to do this to get them through the US plant inspection, or whether it is simply 'how they do it' in Thailand.

If you get sealed flasks with agar in good condition, you have the option of leaving the plants in there somewhat longer. However, how long depends upon:
a. How well the seedlings are spaced in the flask. You don't want them to become too crowded.
b. How many nutrients are left in the agar. I don't know how to judge this. I assume that seller is selling because plants are ready/due to come out, so I tend to deflask upon receipt.

I just got two more hobby flasks from Woodstream at Parkside. One was overdue (seedlings were large), and the other could have waited a while longer, but it is easier for me to just do them and get them into my seedling tubs.

Maybe they thought they were doing a favor by rinsing out the agar because many people find it such a hassle to remove agar. Still, I would have liked to be given an option.

Another point, I thought that intact flasks are the only way for them to be allowed to travel internationally.
I guess not.

I wanted to go to parkside summer festival, but something came up. I already knew I won't make it, so I shopped online quite a bit to make up for my missing it. lol

---------- Post added at 03:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:36 PM ----------

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

many Taiwan Orchid Growers use what I call "baggies", not flasks. I got 1x baggie and the seedlings were larger and more robust.............but far fewer than in a flask. But cheaper ! I got 12 ( I think ) in a baggie. 10 have survived 6+ months.
You should find out if you can get a baggie or 2.

What are baggies?? Are they simply bags of seedlings after being taken out of the flasks??

Chin Hwa website calls it flask and each flask should have at least 20 seedlings, so maybe theirs is flask rather than baggies?

I don't know how much you pay for baggies, but the list price for flasks seem quite cheap to me, with the exception of some species or other uncommon varieties.

I think I would be happier to have 10-12 larger seedlings than 20 tiny things.

I should email them again and ask, but do they use the term "baggie"??
I have corresponded emails a few times, but they seem to have a bit of trouble with English.

---------- Post added at 03:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:41 PM ----------

Originally Posted by sweetjblue

NYCorchidman,

Just received this about a half hour ago. Mailed from within the USA. So could imagine what one might get ordering from further distances.

This is what you don't want your flask to look like. Happened thru no fault of the sender and the plants will be fine, but once the agar gets jumbled like this, an immmediate potting up is in order.
Leaving them in the flask like this, even for a few days, is an invitation to mold or fungus. Thus possibily losing the whole flask.

Judi

Thank you for sharing the photos, Judi.

If I received a flask with such larger seedlings, I wouldn't mind at all about the jumbling because I could then take them out and pot them up.
My concern is for the tiny seedlings that I would rather keep enclosed in the flask for a few more week. Jumbling then would be a big problem as I don't like dealing with very small seedlings.

By the way, if the flask has never been opened as they are supposed to, how would there be any germs growing since it is sterile inside the flasks??

[orchidsarefun]

"Baggies" are fancy zip-loc type plastic bags, but stronger.
I have had glass and plastic jars/bottles before - I find the baggies the best in keeping the seedlings looking good.
I have been trying to get in the USA but can't find any for sale. They are obviously easier to pack and seedlings don't get jumbled around.

[NYCorchidman]

Monsoon orchids sometimes have compot for sale.

By the way, which vendors have you dealt with?

[sweetjblue]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

By the way, if the flask has never been opened as they are supposed to, how would there be any germs growing since it is sterile inside the flasks??

Even with sterilizing there is always the chance of contamination which can happen when you are doing the actual flasking of the seed. The spore (s) may be in the flask but positioned in such a way (such as on the tip of the rim) that it doesn't get unlodged until shipping. All it takes is one little spore for contamination to set in.

[NYCorchidman]

So true. Those little evils.