Hi kiki-do,
I don't think your questions are stupid. I am more than happy to share with you why I got my flasks.
1. Species orchids are really difficult to find and super expensive in West. Aust. Expect to pay $10-$25 per seedling- and they are usually very small!
Phals are generally expensive here, NOIDs in flower sell from $25-$60.
2. Orchid flask is the only way to bring back orchids from overseas unless you want your mature plant to spend 3 month in Quarantine and showing clean growth in that period. We have the most strict quarantine laws in the world! We can't even import plants from other states of Aust, unless the vendor has a special permit for WA- there are 4 licensed vendors. We also have to pay extra $20 (quarantine fee) on top of shipping!
3. 2 flasks cost my mum less than AUD$50, and there are 30 plants per flask. I am sharing some of my phals with mum. It is also a bonus that I can also sell some later.
4. Phals are relatively fast growers in the orchid family, I expect most to flower after 1yr.
5. De-flasking is taking the mature seedlings out of the flask.
Flasking is when you want to start growing your own seedlings- mass production ie. putting the seeds, mericlones into the flask where there is a growing medium.
I hope that helps... I am so proud of the little babies, I will post
in the morning.
Yep, I am obsessed... My dad says that I should open an orchid shop... mmmm hold that thought!
New babies!!!
Good luck to you! 
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