Most in flask: how to face? - Orchid Board

Theblaster · #1 09-01-2008, 03:30 AM

Hi all,
I am a new orchid addicted, travelling in thailand in this moment.

Ten days ago I bought some flasks of Vanda, Cattleya and Ascocentrum in a nice orchid farm. Then I took an airplane to move to the south. After the flight the flasks where ok, but the orchids resulted under the gel. So I opened the flasks to move the leaves on the surface using a sterilized spoon, and close again.

After five days I have widespread and aggressive mold, who has already covered agar and some leaves on almost all the flasks.

What can I do, considering that I'm going back to Italy in five days, so I'm not able to deflask until that?

Thank you very much for your help,
Simon

Tom_in_PA · #2 09-01-2008, 09:32 AM

Opening the flask casued it to become contaminated. When you took the stopper off I am sure there was almost a vacum like situation inside and a rush of air poured inside the flask bring mold spores with it. With the rich nutrient agar mixture the mold does not take long to establish itself.

I think you were stuck between the leaves burning and dying from being jumbled in the agar mix or now from contamination.

They need to be deflasked ASAP. What about deflasking them and storing them in a sealed ziplock baggie? (unless they need to stay in flask until you get home because of customs).

gixrj18 · #3 09-01-2008, 11:04 AM

Definitely need to de-flask, as Tom said!

taipan · #4 09-01-2008, 11:19 AM

As the others said you will need to deflask them straight away or the contamination may cause the loss of the seedlings. Depending on the customs at your end you may have to hide them as the authorities at this end classify deflasked seedlings ( or whatever you wish to call them ) as plants thus they are now covered by CITES. By rights ( or hindsight ) you should have purchased them just prior to leaving Thailand if that would have been possible.

Andrew · #5 09-01-2008, 10:25 PM

On the subject of customs, contaminated flasks are usually not covered by the phytosanitary exemptions given to flasked plants. If obtaining the appropriate documentation for import into Italy is going to be a problem, cut your losses, buy some more flasks and carry the flasks as hand luggage stored under your seat to avoid damage.

With regards to the suggestion of smuggling the plants past the customs authorities, follow this advice at your own risk. It is, after all, illegal.

taipan · #6 09-01-2008, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

On the subject of customs, contaminated flasks are usually not covered by the phytosanitary exemptions given to flasked plants. If obtaining the appropriate documentation for import into Italy is going to be a problem, cut your losses, buy some more flasks and carry the flasks as hand luggage stored under your seat to avoid damage.

With regards to the suggestion of smuggling the plants past the customs authorities, follow this advice at your own risk. It is, after all, illegal.

Andrew - yes it is illegal to carry plants. It is also illegal (now) to take flasks on board as hand luggage as the agar is considered a "gel" which technically is correct - you are not even allowed to take bottled water on board. If he bought more flasks he would have to pack them ,see the Thai Dept.of Ag for a Phyto & include that box with his "checked in luggage". As I mentioned he should have done the buying just before he left unless he was catching a connecting flight without a further stopover in BKK. Just on a side note the trouble in BKK escalated further last night with pro govt & opposition clashes.

cloudswinger · #7 09-02-2008, 11:03 AM

The rule about the liquids is dependant on the country of origin, although probably is based on US rules. The US allows 3 ozs(total) of liquids/gels in carry on in a transparent bag. I don't think that would be more than one flask though, or maybe a few of those test tube flasks. I've noticed that some airports are more vigilant than others. I had a jello based snack once on a trip to costa rica, and while US security checked it out thoroughly, they let it pass. It was about the size of a deck of cards. I ate it in flight, so the other end didn't matter.

I'd have to agree that your contaminated flasks are a loss, and might as well be dumped. There isn't any country that would let you bring in a bunch of moldy flasks, or moldy seedlings.

taipan · #8 09-02-2008, 11:24 AM

Yes I agree that it depends on the country of origin but "Theblaster" had minimum of 3 or 4 flasks & knowing the flasks here are "whisky bottles" I would have to say that there would be min. 3oz of agar.Also they would be most likely going back to an EU country. I know that Thai would not allow flasks to be taken back to Australia & on the return trip Aust.customs ( Sydney a/port ) took the bottle of drinking water off the wife & put it with their already growing collection of opened ( & drank to various degree's ) water bottles. On a side note the customs people in BKK took a couple of bottles of alcohol off a passenger on the same flight ie BKK to Syd. Also, personally if I bought a flask I would not like it taken off me no matter how much liquid was in there. Would you ???

Andrew · #9 09-02-2008, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taipan

Also, personally if I bought a flask I would not like it taken off me no matter how much liquid was in there. Would you ???

While plenty of people take flasks through Australia's international airports no doubt you are correct that flasks can be stopped by security. Check in luggage may be a better option but given the manner with which airport staff handle luggage expect to deflask them ASAP as the agar may not be intact. Having said that, yes, I would much rather have the plants taken off me when declared than be caught not declaring imported plants.

Theblaster · #10 09-03-2008, 12:17 AM

Hi all, thank you for your very detailed replies.

This is the status of the flasks:

Two of them have some mold who apparently stopped spreading, not affecting, at this moment, the seedlings

Two flask present a widespreading mold, who has not yet affected seedlings but I guess will do very soon. I hope not befor I deflask, next friday.

One falsk is apparently ok

The seedlings are about 1 to 2 inches,in three falsks, and 2 to 3 inches, in the others.

I am going to store the flasks in the check in luggage, deflasking asap as I am in Italy.

Nobody is no more able to store anything like a flask as handbaggage, considering that the last regulation states that only 100 ml are ammitted inboard and that refers to the capacity of the container. I've traveled a lot during this year and I've seen this rule stricly applied everywhere. The only way could be buying flasks in the duty free area, as for alcools, parfums, water and so on.

I'm going to update you as soon as I'm in Italy.

Simon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

While plenty of people take flasks through Australia's international airports no doubt you are correct that flasks can be stopped by security. Check in luggage may be a better option but given the manner with which airport staff handle luggage expect to deflask them ASAP as the agar may not be intact. Having said that, yes, I would much rather have the plants taken off me when declared than be caught not declaring imported plants.