Plant project- reviving the flask/seedling project idea - Page 3 - Orchid Board

flhiker · #21 01-23-2013, 12:25 PM

But then if shipping freshly deflasked seedlings is as impossible as you say, then we should just abandon the idea altogether. It just creates an entirely different set of headaches and hassles.

That's kinda why I suggested plugs. They are hardened and easy to ship.

zxyqu · #22 01-23-2013, 12:30 PM

Plugs are a good idea if we can find them. Also, if there is someone willing overseas to do replates, we could just take one flask, make several smaller plant # flasks, and then ship them out. Then everyone could learn to deflask and do that whole process. I replate seedlings, so I could help there as well.

flhiker · #23 01-23-2013, 12:42 PM

Carmella in Hawaii sells trays of 25 for 30.00. the only problem will be if the Folks in Europe can get them. The chance's of seedling surviving de flasking and shipping is a real challenge. They also sell flasks
Orchid Growers - Hakalau, HI - Carmela Orchids

camille1585 · #24 01-23-2013, 02:14 PM

I still can't remember which UK grower works with a US one, it's driving me nuts. Not sure it was Carmela, I remember it was a grower doing lots of Catts.
Or maybe they do do that partnership anymore, which is why I can't find them again...

---------- Post added at 07:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:02 PM ----------

Found it, finally! Well, not Carmela, though it started with a C : Carter & Holmes. At Laurence Hobbs Orchids in the UK.

flhiker · #25 01-23-2013, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

I still can't remember which UK grower works with a US one, it's driving me nuts. Not sure it was Carmela, I remember it was a grower doing lots of Catts.
Or maybe they do do that partnership anymore, which is why I can't find them again...

---------- Post added at 07:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:02 PM ----------

Found it, finally! Well, not Carmela, though it started with a C : Carter & Holmes. At Laurence Hobbs Orchids in the UK.

What would happen if someone tried to send you one bare root?

Rowangreen · #26 01-25-2013, 08:22 PM

Hi all, been doing some research, and it looks to me like we have 3 directions we could go with this.

1) 'We want to all grow the same plant, which we can't normally get in all 3 areas'
In this case we need a seller that goes round the shows internationally, such as Ecuagenera but there may be others. I think in this case maybe it doesn't need to be seedlings/flasks.

2) 'We want to grow the same thing from flask together'. In this case it's nearly impossible to find the same thing in all 3 areas within the normal budget. Ordering flasks from one source is likely to be the only way. From my research so far Roelke is looking the best option. Flasks in the States tend to be more pricey (if larger) to start. Plus cytosanitary certificates: the going rate from the States seems to be around $150 while from the EU it's around 35 euros (not heard back from Roelke yet). Plus with Roelke doing the mini flasks if there's one person getting the 'shipment' and sending them on they don't have to re-package so much. Orchid Flasks in the UK might be another source: they do flasks from £10. (Uping the budget/sharing big flasks might mean we could find different sources in the 3 areas for the same thing)

3) 'We all want to grow from flask together' In this case maybe getting exactly the same thing isn't as important? For example, it would be possible to get phaleanopsis/doritanopsis flasks in the EU and US within budget (US I've found hybrids for $20 and $25, Paramount in Canada do flasks, but don't have any in at the moments...). Phals would be good as they are generally quick growing. I've heard tolumnias are too. Paphs should be possible, but slower growing. Don't know much about cats, but should think we could find them.

A FYI: Meyers in the States reckon it's better to send plants deflasked with no medium in sealed sterile baggies than to send them flasked. So one person splitting and sending on a large flask would be possible, just a lot of bother for them! And the recipients would still need to treat them as recently deflasked.

PS: I know there's also the question of flasked and/or seedlings. My feeling on that is if you are going to get plants that young you might as well deflask them yourself and get several for the money! And in some ways hardened seedlings won't be different to normal projects, except it will be a lot longer for them to flower! If we get them from flask/baggie and go through hardening them it adds something different to the project.

orchidsarefun · #27 01-25-2013, 08:53 PM

I KNOW this nursery hasn't the best of reputations, but want to say I got the 2 seedlings in the link. They came in a padded envelope and were literally flat ! They both survived and have done well - its been about a year.

Royal Orchid Club - L375 Orchid Plant-S Phal Golden Peoker X

The reason why I mention them is that the nursery where they get their plants is in Malaysia I believe. I could find the website but can't now. Will keep looking. If I remember correctly, they mailed world-wide.
They have a lot of seedlings and compots. The seedlings are cheap, including postage.

Just another option. Which is not to say RowanG hasn't done an excellent job......its just that I thought of this place because I just repotted the seedlings I had bought.

zxyqu · #28 01-25-2013, 09:04 PM

Hell no to that supplier for anything. They have a reputation for a reason.

Rowangreen · #29 01-25-2013, 09:46 PM

Lol. If you could find out the asian suplier I guess it could be an option for my 2)? If cheap enough. (And if they aren't as bad as the end seller!)

I still think we need to thrash out a bit more what we want from this: do people like the idea of growing from flask? Would people pay a little more? Have we got people who could take a group order and distribute it on (and maybe split flasks?) Would people be happy growing similar things (eg 'phals' or 'tolumnias') or do they really want to grow all the same?

greengarden · #30 01-25-2013, 10:59 PM

Bali Orchid garden I think posts their flasks almost anywhere, flasks are about $30 and they supply phytos if needed relatively cheaply. I believe they can put up to 6 flasks on a single phyto cert so people within the same international area could order to one address and then on mail to save on extra phytos..