Seed flasking: lab having difficulty with disinfection

[oregon woodsmoke]

I don't have any advice at all except to go to a different lab for your remaining seed. You aren't happy with that one, try another one and hope you find one with better technique.

(how disappointing to lose seed that you had such high hopes for)

[Orchid Whisperer]

Sorry all . . . haven't been on OB for a few days.


Oyarzabal: Thanks for the disinfection paper. I think the chlorine gas method is trying to accomplish a similar goal to the bleach fume method I linked from OB.
As for the Zyclon B

DOrchid: thanks for the link to the orchid lab, I have them bookmarked.

oregon woodsmoke: I'm not unhappy with the lab I'm using, because I honestly don't know if the contamination was my fault or theirs. Sometimes these things do happen. They have indicated that sometimes bacterial contamination is benign, rather than harmful, and the seedlings could potentially survive. "Unhappy" would result if I felt like the lab was somehow dishonest with me, or won't communicate; so far, they seem straightforward, so I am giving them the benefit of the doubt. I am weighing whether to give the lab that DOrchid recommended a shot if I try again with the stored seeds.

[Dorchid]

Good luck, OW!

[Orchid Whisperer]

It has been a while (June) since I posted on this thread, but I wanted to follow up.

In late July, after some back & forth polite conversation with the lab (Orchid Origins; shout out to Shane Fletcher) told me they would try re-plating the little seedlings they had and see what happens. I thanked him, told him I would check back occasionally, but wouldn't pester.

This week, I contacted him about plating my Encyclia cross (posted about that one here on OB also). Since I was emailing anyway, I asked him about my earlier cross.

Excellent news: the re-plated seedlings are doing well, growing, and are apparently bacteria free!

I'm very happy with Orchid Origins customer service. I appreciate their perseverance. Another lab might not have gone the extra mile to make this work out. If you are interested in flasking, consider this post as a personal recommendation.

[WaterWitchin]

Gotta love it when someone goes the extra mile for you, and love it even more when that extra mile gains a positive result. I'm happy for ya OrchidWhisperer!

Good Lord... how much longer does this process take? As an impatient individual with a very short attention span, this sort of thing is waaay outta my league. Kudos to those who can and do.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Gotta love it when someone goes the extra mile for you, and love it even more when that extra mile gains a positive result. I'm happy for ya OrchidWhisperer!

Good Lord... how much longer does this process take? As an impatient individual with a very short attention span, this sort of thing is waaay outta my league. Kudos to those who can and do.

The late David Johnston (friend, owner (with his family) of Jewell Orchids, and an early member of Northeast Georgia Orchid Society) once told me some of his hybrids took 10 to 15 years from pollination to flowering. Of course some take much less. The point is, it does take a looong time for most orchids, years at least. Something to think about when considering the price of an orchid, eh?

I'm not ancient, but I'm an older guy, so I think I will have the time to take my orchid seedlings from flask to blooming. I am hoping to get a couple hybrids to bloom that are worth naming. Most likely after my parents.

[WaterWitchin]

Nice! And I have admiration for those who can do that sort of thing. I've named a couple of my orchids after beloved relatives who've passed on. Of course it's not official, but a couple of good friends even know the orchid I'm speaking of when I talk about Oscar's Dream or My Rosa.

Speaking of... I have an "Uncle Frank" I've had for about forty years now. A potted plant from his funeral those many years ago. Have given out numerous cuttings, and everyone calls their plant Uncle Frank as well. Good memories, and really cool if you can do the "real deal."

[Dorchid]

Very cool!