Flasks, compots, oh my!

[skirincich]

When planning to transition plants out of a flask, how do people choose between compots versus potting seedlings in individual containers? In the last year, I have moved dendrobiums from a compot to individual pots (an obvious transition) and a phals from a flask into individual pots with good success. The "extra" phal seedings that went into a compot look the same as the individually-potted seedlings. I would certainly agree that compots are space efficient. In theory, if I transitioned all flasked plants directly into individual pots, I would run out of room and would no longer be tempted by the next irresistible flask!

Thanks,
Steve

[estación seca]

It depends on how you grow seedlings and how much time you have to work with them every day. Almost everybody transplants seedlings from flasks to compots. Seedlings in flasks tend to use up the nutrients long before they're large enough to pot up separately. Most people don't want to let seedlings starve, so they tend to transplant out of flask before the seedlings are suffering. This usually means they are quite small. They do much better in groups when small than when separated.

Edit: I was referring to seed flasks; or, the very next flask, for slow-growing plants that are reflasked before potting up. If you're talking about flasks containing larger seedlings that were already separated from the seed flask, the type of flask that might have 5-20 plants, sometimes they are big enough to go into their own pots.

[tmoney]

mornin!

we had this same question when potting up our first seedlings a couple months ago. herebutnot has a really good vid of his deflasking, and he talks a lot about these things. considerations of space and the size of the seedling, what media he uses, all that sort of stuff. it was really helpful for us at the time, and we have taken the route he suggested. it seemed more helpful because of his, “not professional, but home growing based on common sense and what he thinks would be the best approach” sort of mindset.

granted, we only have about 50 seedlings right now, and only deflasked a little over 2 months ago, but they are growing and seem happy, and so far only lost one little straggler that had no roots. the biggest from our little groups we potted alone, most of the groups were put in compots. also note, we buy roelke orchid packs, which contain 4-6 little plantlets, and not true flasks (even tho they are still in agar when they arrive)

[Fairorchids]

While the largest seedlings usually can do well potted individually, it is my experience (deflasking some 75+ flasks over the past 8 years), that the majority do better placed in compots (or trays). I have tried a combination of both, and after one year the mid-size seedlings in the compot are almost always larger than the individuals, which started being bigger.

The primary factor is being able to maintain more constant moisture in the larger containers.

For those who have not tried this before, I have a guide on my web site (Fair Orchids). Click on Orchids, and in the drop-down select Cultural Notes.
Then downlaod FO, Growing Seedlings from Flask, rev. 2.pdf