Plant project- reviving the flask/seedling project idea
 

Last summer/fall we were discussing what sort of projects we could do, as a change from the usual projects. For one to spice things up a bit, and secondly with so many people participating (40+), a normal project has become an organisational nightmare.

One idea we had was to do a seedling project, which would be more long term. How long term depends on how quickly the selected plant develops. The most logical choice is to get flasks from Ecuagenera at shows, since they travel to shows frequently, and all over the place. However, if we do it this way we need to get the ball rolling, to pick a species (that meets temperature/size criteria as usual), and decide how exactly we are going to do this. The advantage is that the organizing is minimal compared to the usual projects. We'd probably just do a poll to decide which species we want. This would likely need to be done within the next month so there is time to preorder.

1) we need to see who is going to which shows, and so who can pick up stuff. (US is easy with so many shows and OB members, EU and CAN not so much).

2) One issue is that it will be only a few people paying, who will then have to dispatch plants. So we need to trust complete strangers for the most part that they will pay up.

Thoughts? And who's interested?

I've been toying with the idea of getting a flask but the cost and the fact I have no experience deflasking has held me back from experimenting. If the cost is reasonable $50.00-$75.00 US I would be interested. If anyone in lower NY State wants to team up that would be even better.

Bill

I looked, their flasks are between $30 and $70 for the most part, 15 seedlings per flask. The individual costs then depend on how many people share a flask.

I think this is a great idea honestly. If three users buy one flask and then make compots it would be decent. Only problem would be multiple orchids but I doubt many would care. I'd also assume that it is going to drop the amount of participants by a good amount.

Hi Camille, just a idea. don't know if they ship orders to Europe. But Carmela orchids sells hybrid catt plug trays 25 for 30.00. and 10 to ship. takes around 4 years to bloom. I did a group purchase a few years back and I still have most of the ones I kept. gave a lot away. they also sell on Ebay
If your looking to do something different.

AAA25 Cat Plugs T 4671 Pot Love Call 'Nora' | eBay

Thanks, I'll look into it. The name is familiar, I **think** a UK nursery does business with them and imports for their clients. I'm just not sure if it's carmela or not. I'll try to find the UK grower again.

That actually sounds really awesome. If we keep it to a mini-catt it wouldnt be too expensive and most would bloom within a year probably. Light intensity might be an issue.

these plugs will take at least 4 years to bloom. but not as long as flask plants

Wow, really?

I think that is a long, long, long time for a project.

Another issue if people are sharing a flask is I don't think you can really open a flask, plant and send all the seedlings straight off. I think that the person who gets the flask in the first place would either have to split the flask into smaller flasks, or aclimatise the seedlings for several weeks before sending them off. It's a problem...

One idea might be to colaborate with a suitable commercial grower?

I have been thinking about this project though. Not really researched it fully, but an idea I had was that Phal violacea might be a good one to do. I'm thinking that might be available quite a few places: I know of places sell flasks in Europe and I'm sure there's some in the States (Norton for a start... though not sure if they are too expensive). Few different varieties too, and should be pretty quick growing.

It's a shame Roelke don't travel around: they do little flasks with 4-5 plants for 7 euros each. Would be perfect for this! I'm growing some of theirs I deflasked in October...